diff --git a/crates/net/network/tests/it/connect.rs b/crates/net/network/tests/it/connect.rs
index a8d409ad69..ee70e8b369 100644
--- a/crates/net/network/tests/it/connect.rs
+++ b/crates/net/network/tests/it/connect.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use reth_network::{
 };
 use reth_network_api::{
     events::{PeerEvent, SessionInfo},
-    NetworkInfo, Peers, PeersInfo,
+    NetworkInfo, PeerKind, Peers, PeersInfo,
 };
 use reth_network_p2p::{
     headers::client::{HeadersClient, HeadersRequest},
@@ -423,6 +423,11 @@ async fn test_trusted_peer_only() {
     tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
     assert_eq!(handle.num_connected_peers(), 1);
 
+    // remove handle from handle1's peer list to prevent a competing outgoing connection attempt
+    // from handle1 racing with handle's outgoing connection below, which can cause duplicate
+    // session resolution to drop a connection
+    handle1.remove_peer(*handle.peer_id(), PeerKind::Basic);
+
     handle.add_trusted_peer(*handle1.peer_id(), handle1.local_addr());
 
     // wait for the next session established event to check the handle1 incoming connection