diff --git a/nixos/tests/novacomd.nix b/nixos/tests/novacomd.nix
index 4eb60c0feb5c..940210dee235 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/novacomd.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/novacomd.nix
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import ./make-test.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
+import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
   name = "novacomd";
   meta = with pkgs.stdenv.lib.maintainers; {
     maintainers = [ dtzWill ];
@@ -9,26 +9,20 @@ import ./make-test.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
   };
 
   testScript = ''
-    $machine->waitForUnit("multi-user.target");
+    machine.wait_for_unit("novacomd.service")
 
-    # multi-user.target wants novacomd.service, but let's make sure
-    $machine->waitForUnit("novacomd.service");
+    with subtest("Make sure the daemon is really listening"):
+        machine.wait_for_open_port(6968)
+        machine.succeed("novacom -l")
 
-    # Check status and try connecting with novacom
-    $machine->succeed("systemctl status novacomd.service >&2");
-    # to prevent non-deterministic failure,
-    # make sure the daemon is really listening
-    $machine->waitForOpenPort(6968);
-    $machine->succeed("novacom -l");
+    with subtest("Stop the daemon, double-check novacom fails if daemon isn't working"):
+        machine.stop_job("novacomd")
+        machine.fail("novacom -l")
 
-    # Stop the daemon, double-check novacom fails if daemon isn't working
-    $machine->stopJob("novacomd");
-    $machine->fail("novacom -l");
-
-    # And back again for good measure
-    $machine->startJob("novacomd");
-    # make sure the daemon is really listening
-    $machine->waitForOpenPort(6968);
-    $machine->succeed("novacom -l");
+    with subtest("Make sure the daemon starts back up again"):
+        machine.start_job("novacomd")
+        # make sure the daemon is really listening
+        machine.wait_for_open_port(6968)
+        machine.succeed("novacom -l")
   '';
 })