diff --git a/akka-remote-tests/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/remote/RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec.scala b/akka-remote-tests/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/remote/RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec.scala
index a8c913cf5e..90f96e2501 100644
--- a/akka-remote-tests/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/remote/RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-remote-tests/src/multi-jvm/scala/akka/remote/RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec.scala
@@ -61,9 +61,12 @@ abstract class RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec
   "RemoteNodeRestartGate" must {
 
     "allow restarted node to pass through gate" taggedAs LongRunningTest in {
+
+      system.actorOf(Props[Subject], "subject")
+      enterBarrier("subject-started")
+
       runOn(first) {
         val secondAddress = node(second).address
-        system.actorOf(Props[Subject], "subject")
 
         identify(second, "subject")
 
@@ -90,8 +93,6 @@ abstract class RemoteNodeRestartGateSpec
         val addr = system.asInstanceOf[ExtendedActorSystem].provider.getDefaultAddress
         val firstAddress = node(first).address
 
-        system.actorOf(Props[Subject], "subject")
-
         enterBarrier("gated")
 
         Await.ready(system.whenTerminated, 10.seconds)