diff --git a/nixos/tests/uptermd.nix b/nixos/tests/uptermd.nix
index 429e3c9dd5ff..469aa5047c27 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/uptermd.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/uptermd.nix
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ in
     start_all()
 
     server.wait_for_unit("uptermd.service")
+    server.systemctl("start network-online.target")
     server.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
 
     # wait for upterm port to be reachable