diff --git a/tests/test_lightningd.py b/tests/test_lightningd.py
index c63f4de48..fc92f1d4c 100644
--- a/tests/test_lightningd.py
+++ b/tests/test_lightningd.py
@@ -3857,7 +3857,8 @@ class LightningDTests(BaseLightningDTests):
         assert l2.rpc.listinvoices('inv1')['invoices'][0]['status'] == 'paid'
 
         # FIXME: We should re-add pre-announced routes on startup!
-        self.wait_for_routes(l1, [chanid])
+        l1.bitcoin.rpc.generate(5)
+        l1.wait_channel_active(chanid)
 
         # A duplicate should succeed immediately (nop) and return correct preimage.
         preimage = l1.rpc.pay(inv1['bolt11'])['payment_preimage']
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index 2d97e5cef..60e4ff006 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -459,3 +459,11 @@ class LightningNode(object):
         # Intermittent decoding failure.  See if it decodes badly twice?
         decoded2 = self.bitcoin.rpc.decoderawtransaction(tx)
         raise ValueError("Can't find {} payment in {} (1={} 2={})".format(amount, tx, decoded, decoded2))
+
+    def is_channel_active(self, chanid):
+        channels = self.rpc.listchannels()['channels']
+        active = [(c['short_channel_id'], c['flags']) for c in channels if c['active']]
+        return (chanid, 0) in active and (chanid, 1) in active
+
+    def wait_channel_active(self, chanid):
+        wait_for(lambda: self.is_channel_active(chanid), interval=1)