diff --git a/test/base.py b/test/base.py
index b7db2ae..d8b7b90 100644
--- a/test/base.py
+++ b/test/base.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def run_tests(extra_tests):
     assert_matches("su operator -c 'lncli getinfo' | jq", '"version"')
     assert_no_failure("lnd")
 
-    succeed("systemctl start lightning-loop")
+    assert_running("lightning-loop")
     assert_matches("su operator -c 'loop --version'", "version")
     # Check that lightning-loop fails with the right error, making sure
     # lightning-loop can connect to lnd
diff --git a/test/test.nix b/test/test.nix
index 23a6c26..857ed4f 100644
--- a/test/test.nix
+++ b/test/test.nix
@@ -31,9 +31,6 @@ import ./make-test.nix rec {
     services.lnd.enable = true;
     services.lnd.listenPort = 9736;
     services.lightning-loop.enable = true;
-    # needed because we must control when lightning-loop starts so it doesn't
-    # fail before we run commands in the nb-lightning-loop netns
-    systemd.services.lightning-loop.wantedBy = mkForce [];
 
     services.electrs.enable = true;