diff --git a/nixos/tests/nfs/kerberos.nix b/nixos/tests/nfs/kerberos.nix
index 1bace4058be5..5944b53319a0 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/nfs/kerberos.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/nfs/kerberos.nix
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ in
       server.wait_for_unit("rpc-gssd.service")
       server.wait_for_unit("rpc-svcgssd.service")
 
+      client.systemctl("start network-online.target")
       client.wait_for_unit("network-online.target")
 
       # add principals to client keytab