diff --git a/eth/catalyst/api_test.go b/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
index e91e07d05d..cb6ae053b6 100644
--- a/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
+++ b/eth/catalyst/api_test.go
@@ -447,6 +447,9 @@ func startEthService(t *testing.T, genesis *core.Genesis, blocks []*types.Block)
 		n.Close()
 		t.Fatal("can't import test blocks:", err)
 	}
+	if err := ethservice.TxPool().Sync(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("failed to sync txpool after initial blockchain import:", err)
+	}
 
 	ethservice.SetSynced()
 	return n, ethservice