diff --git a/tests/hwsim/test_ap_params.py b/tests/hwsim/test_ap_params.py
index 07088f823..cd6846956 100644
--- a/tests/hwsim/test_ap_params.py
+++ b/tests/hwsim/test_ap_params.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def test_ap_acl_deny(dev, apdev):
     params['ssid'] = ssid
     params['deny_mac_file'] = "hostapd.macaddr"
     hapd = hostapd.add_ap(apdev[0], params)
-    dev[0].scan_for_bss(apdev[0]['bssid'], freq="2412")
+    dev[0].scan_for_bss(apdev[0]['bssid'], freq="2412", passive=True)
     dev[0].connect(ssid, key_mgmt="NONE", scan_freq="2412", wait_connect=False)
     dev[1].scan_for_bss(apdev[0]['bssid'], freq="2412")
     dev[1].connect(ssid, key_mgmt="NONE", scan_freq="2412")