diff --git a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/border_router/test_publish_meshcop_service.py b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/border_router/test_publish_meshcop_service.py
index 395f8c7b1..1efc33d93 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/border_router/test_publish_meshcop_service.py
+++ b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/border_router/test_publish_meshcop_service.py
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ class PublishMeshCopService(thread_cert.TestCase):
         br2 = self.nodes[BR2]
         br2.disable_br()
 
-        host.bash('service otbr-agent stop')
         host.start(start_radvd=False)
         self.simulator.go(20)
 
diff --git a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/node.py b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/node.py
index b696c5464..74ed7a6c1 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/node.py
+++ b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/node.py
@@ -3270,6 +3270,7 @@ class HostNode(LinuxHost, OtbrDocker):
         self.nodeid = nodeid
         self.name = name or ('Host%d' % nodeid)
         super().__init__(nodeid, **kwargs)
+        self.bash('service otbr-agent stop')
 
     def start(self, start_radvd=True, prefix=config.DOMAIN_PREFIX, slaac=False):
         self._setup_sysctl()