diff --git a/nixos/tests/ferm.nix b/nixos/tests/ferm.nix
index be43877445eb..87c67ac62347 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/ferm.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/ferm.nix
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
     ''
       start_all()
 
+      client.systemctl("start network-online.target")
+      server.systemctl("start network-online.target")
       client.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
       server.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
       server.wait_for_unit("ferm.service")