diff --git a/test/functional/minchainwork.py b/test/functional/minchainwork.py
index 35cd7ad141..84cd11f722 100755
--- a/test/functional/minchainwork.py
+++ b/test/functional/minchainwork.py
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ class MinimumChainWorkTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
         self.node_min_work = [0, 101, 101]
 
     def setup_network(self):
+        # Force CanDirectFetch to return false (otherwise nMinimumChainWork is ignored)
+        self.mocktime += 21 * 2.6 * 60
         # This test relies on the chain setup being:
         # node0 <- node1 <- node2
         # Before leaving IBD, nodes prefer to download blocks from outbound