diff --git a/tests/system/test_system.py b/tests/system/test_system.py
index d14187baa..c881c3da7 100644
--- a/tests/system/test_system.py
+++ b/tests/system/test_system.py
@@ -2037,6 +2037,7 @@ def test_upload_new_blob_w_bucket_cmek_enabled(self):
 
         blob = self.bucket.blob(blob_name)
         blob.upload_from_string(payload)
+        retry_429_harder(blob.reload)()
         # We don't know the current version of the key.
         self.assertTrue(blob.kms_key_name.startswith(kms_key_name))
 
@@ -2046,7 +2047,7 @@ def test_upload_new_blob_w_bucket_cmek_enabled(self):
         self.assertEqual(blob.download_as_bytes(), alt_payload)
 
         self.bucket.default_kms_key_name = None
-        self.bucket.patch()
+        retry_429_harder(self.bucket.patch)()
         self.assertIsNone(self.bucket.default_kms_key_name)