diff --git a/nixos/tests/opensmtpd.nix b/nixos/tests/opensmtpd.nix
index 17c1a569ba0d..d32f82ed33b8 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/opensmtpd.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/opensmtpd.nix
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix {
   testScript = ''
     start_all()
 
+    client.systemctl("start network-online.target")
     client.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
     smtp1.wait_for_unit("opensmtpd")
     smtp2.wait_for_unit("opensmtpd")