diff --git a/nixos/tests/qemu-vm-restrictnetwork.nix b/nixos/tests/qemu-vm-restrictnetwork.nix
index 49a105ef1076..49aefcc099bd 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/qemu-vm-restrictnetwork.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/qemu-vm-restrictnetwork.nix
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({
 
     else:
       start_all()
+      unrestricted.systemctl("start network-online.target")
+      restricted.systemctl("start network-online.target")
       unrestricted.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
       restricted.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")