diff --git a/beacon-chain/sync/rpc_status_test.go b/beacon-chain/sync/rpc_status_test.go
index c19a70a4a5..d064626b5a 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/sync/rpc_status_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/sync/rpc_status_test.go
@@ -329,6 +329,8 @@ func TestHandshakeHandlers_Roundtrip(t *testing.T) {
 		chainStarted: abool.New(),
 		subHandler:   newSubTopicHandler(),
 	}
+	r.gossipsubController = NewGossipsubController(ctx, r)
+
 	markInitSyncComplete(t, r)
 	clock := startup.NewClockSynchronizer()
 	require.NoError(t, clock.SetClock(startup.NewClock(time.Now(), [32]byte{})))