diff --git a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/test_mle_msg_key_seq_jump.py b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/test_mle_msg_key_seq_jump.py
index c3ea2cb8b..246343421 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/thread-cert/test_mle_msg_key_seq_jump.py
+++ b/tests/scripts/thread-cert/test_mle_msg_key_seq_jump.py
@@ -247,6 +247,7 @@ class MleMsgKeySeqJump(thread_cert.TestCase):
 
         child.factory_reset()
         self.assertEqual(child.get_state(), 'disabled')
+        child.set_mode('r')
 
         child.set_active_dataset(channel=leader.get_channel(),
                                  network_key=leader.get_networkkey(),