diff --git a/src/test/test_driver.c b/src/test/test_driver.c
index 41828f86b6..153ab7cdc2 100644
--- a/src/test/test_driver.c
+++ b/src/test/test_driver.c
@@ -1269,6 +1269,8 @@ testParseNodedevs(testDriver *privconn,
             return -1;
         }
 
+        virNodeDeviceObjSetPersistent(obj, true);
+        virNodeDeviceObjSetActive(obj, true);
         virNodeDeviceObjSetSkipUpdateCaps(obj, true);
         virNodeDeviceObjEndAPI(&obj);
     }