diff --git a/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py b/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
index 9a8a19ba18a..33eae2b0fad 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/task_events_mgr.py
@@ -778,6 +778,7 @@ def _process_message_check(
 
         if (
                 itask.state(TASK_STATUS_WAITING)
+                and itask.tdef.run_mode == 'live'
                 and
                 (
                     (
diff --git a/cylc/flow/task_job_mgr.py b/cylc/flow/task_job_mgr.py
index e41e05dfd30..3e17783ec64 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/task_job_mgr.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/task_job_mgr.py
@@ -1000,7 +1000,10 @@ def _simulation_submit_task_jobs(self, itasks, workflow):
             itask.waiting_on_job_prep = False
             itask.submit_num += 1
             self._set_retry_timers(itask)
-            itask.platform = {'name': 'SIMULATION'}
+            itask.platform = {
+                'name': 'SIMULATION',
+                'submission retry delays': [1]
+            }
             itask.summary['job_runner_name'] = 'SIMULATION'
             itask.summary[self.KEY_EXECUTE_TIME_LIMIT] = (
                 itask.tdef.rtconfig['job']['simulated run length']