diff --git a/_scripts/format_handovers.sh b/_scripts/format_handovers.sh
index 862369a..668d1f6 100755
--- a/_scripts/format_handovers.sh
+++ b/_scripts/format_handovers.sh
@@ -50,3 +50,6 @@ for d in */; do
 done
 
 cd ../
+
+# wait for background tasks to complete
+wait $(jobs -p)
diff --git a/_scripts/format_minutes.sh b/_scripts/format_minutes.sh
index a15d227..f3b4c79 100755
--- a/_scripts/format_minutes.sh
+++ b/_scripts/format_minutes.sh
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ function build_pdf() {
 
 	shopt -u globstar
 	cd $root
+
+	# wait for background tasks to complete
+	wait $(jobs -p)
 }
 
 if [[ $1 == "html" ]]; then