diff --git a/tests/integration_tests/functional/test_balloon.py b/tests/integration_tests/functional/test_balloon.py
index 785f4c52a81f..c69ffd2f111c 100644
--- a/tests/integration_tests/functional/test_balloon.py
+++ b/tests/integration_tests/functional/test_balloon.py
@@ -38,31 +38,11 @@ def get_rss_from_pmap():
     return second_rss
 
 
-def lower_ssh_oom_chance(ssh_connection):
-    """Lure OOM away from ssh process"""
-    logger = logging.getLogger("lower_ssh_oom_chance")
-
-    cmd = "pidof sshd"
-    exit_code, stdout, stderr = ssh_connection.run(cmd)
-    # add something to the logs for troubleshooting
-    if exit_code != 0:
-        logger.error("while running: %s", cmd)
-        logger.error("stdout: %s", stdout)
-        logger.error("stderr: %s", stderr)
-
-    for pid in stdout.split(" "):
-        cmd = f"choom -n -1000 -p {pid}"
-        ssh_connection.run(cmd)
-
-
-def make_guest_dirty_memory(ssh_connection, should_oom=False, amount_mib=32):
+def make_guest_dirty_memory(ssh_connection, amount_mib=32):
     """Tell the guest, over ssh, to dirty `amount` pages of memory."""
     logger = logging.getLogger("make_guest_dirty_memory")
 
-    lower_ssh_oom_chance(ssh_connection)
-
-    # Aim OOM at fillmem process
-    cmd = f"choom -n 1000 -- /usr/local/bin/fillmem {amount_mib}"
+    cmd = f"/usr/local/bin/fillmem {amount_mib}"
     exit_code, stdout, stderr = ssh_connection.run(cmd)
     # add something to the logs for troubleshooting
     if exit_code != 0:
@@ -80,12 +60,6 @@ def make_guest_dirty_memory(ssh_connection, should_oom=False, amount_mib=32):
             break
         tries -= 1
 
-    if should_oom:
-        assert "OOM Killer stopped the program with signal 9, exit code 0" in stdout
-    else:
-        assert exit_code == 0, stderr
-        assert "Memory filling was successful" in stdout, stdout
-
 
 def _test_rss_memory_lower(test_microvm, stable_delta=1):
     """Check inflating the balloon makes guest use less rss memory."""
@@ -181,11 +155,11 @@ def test_deflate_on_oom(test_microvm_with_api, deflate_on_oom):
 
     deflate_on_oom=True
 
-      should not result in an OOM kill
+      should result in balloon_stats['actual_mib'] be reduced
 
     deflate_on_oom=False
 
-      should result in an OOM kill
+      should result in balloon_stats['actual_mib'] remain the same
     """
     test_microvm = test_microvm_with_api
     test_microvm.spawn()
@@ -194,7 +168,7 @@ def test_deflate_on_oom(test_microvm_with_api, deflate_on_oom):
 
     # Add a deflated memory balloon.
     test_microvm.api.balloon.put(
-        amount_mib=0, deflate_on_oom=deflate_on_oom, stats_polling_interval_s=0
+        amount_mib=0, deflate_on_oom=deflate_on_oom, stats_polling_interval_s=1
     )
 
     # Start the microvm.
@@ -213,8 +187,17 @@ def test_deflate_on_oom(test_microvm_with_api, deflate_on_oom):
     # This call will internally wait for rss to become stable.
     _ = get_stable_rss_mem_by_pid(firecracker_pid)
 
-    # Check that using memory leads an out of memory error (or not).
-    make_guest_dirty_memory(test_microvm.ssh, should_oom=not deflate_on_oom)
+    # Check that using memory leads to the balloon device automatically
+    # deflate (or not).
+    balloon_size_before = test_microvm.api.balloon_stats.get().json()["actual_mib"]
+    make_guest_dirty_memory(test_microvm.ssh)
+
+    balloon_size_after = test_microvm.api.balloon_stats.get().json()["actual_mib"]
+    print(f"size before: {balloon_size_before} size after: {balloon_size_after}")
+    if deflate_on_oom:
+        assert balloon_size_after < balloon_size_before, "Balloon did not deflate"
+    else:
+        assert balloon_size_after >= balloon_size_before, "Balloon deflated"
 
 
 # pylint: disable=C0103