diff --git a/test/functional/abc-finalize-block.py b/test/functional/abc-finalize-block.py
--- a/test/functional/abc-finalize-block.py
+++ b/test/functional/abc-finalize-block.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
         self.finalization_delay = 2 * 60 * 60
 
     def run_test(self):
-        node = self.nodes[0]
+        node = self.nodes[1]
 
         self.mocktime = int(time.time())
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
                 return node.getbestblockhash() == tip
             wait_until(check_tip)
 
-        alt_node = self.nodes[1]
+        alt_node = self.nodes[0]
         wait_for_tip(alt_node, tip)
 
         alt_node.invalidateblock(tip)
diff --git a/test/functional/abc-parkedchain.py b/test/functional/abc-parkedchain.py
--- a/test/functional/abc-parkedchain.py
+++ b/test/functional/abc-parkedchain.py
@@ -5,14 +5,19 @@
 """Test the parckblock and unparkblock RPC calls."""
 
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import assert_equal, connect_nodes_bi, wait_until
+from test_framework.util import (
+    assert_equal,
+    connect_nodes,
+    wait_until
+)
 
 
 class ParkedChainTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def set_test_params(self):
         self.num_nodes = 2
         self.extra_args = [["-noparkdeepreorg",
-                            "-noautomaticunparking"], ["-maxreorgdepth=-1"]]
+                            "-noautomaticunparking", "-whitelist=noban@127.0.0.1"],
+                           ["-maxreorgdepth=-1", "-whitelist=noban@127.0.0.1"]]
 
     def skip_test_if_missing_module(self):
         self.skip_if_no_wallet()
@@ -229,7 +234,7 @@
         # Restart the parking node without parkdeepreorg.
         self.restart_node(1, ["-parkdeepreorg=0"])
         parking_node = self.nodes[1]
-        connect_nodes_bi(node, parking_node)
+        connect_nodes(node, parking_node)
         # The other chain should still be marked 'parked'.
         wait_for_parked_block(node.getbestblockhash())
         # Three more blocks is not enough to unpark. Even though its PoW is
diff --git a/test/functional/abc_p2p_compactblocks.py b/test/functional/abc_p2p_compactblocks.py
--- a/test/functional/abc_p2p_compactblocks.py
+++ b/test/functional/abc_p2p_compactblocks.py
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@
 from test_framework.script import CScript, OP_RETURN, OP_TRUE
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.txtools import pad_tx
-from test_framework.util import assert_equal, wait_until
+from test_framework.util import (
+    assert_equal,
+    wait_until
+)
 
 
 class PreviousSpendableOutput():
diff --git a/test/functional/feature_notifications.py b/test/functional/feature_notifications.py
--- a/test/functional/feature_notifications.py
+++ b/test/functional/feature_notifications.py
@@ -8,7 +8,11 @@
 
 from test_framework.address import ADDRESS_BCHREG_UNSPENDABLE
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import assert_equal, connect_nodes_bi, wait_until
+from test_framework.util import (
+    assert_equal,
+    connect_nodes,
+    wait_until
+)
 
 FORK_WARNING_MESSAGE = "Warning: Large-work fork detected, forking after block {}"
 
@@ -79,7 +83,7 @@
             self.log.info("test -walletnotify after rescan")
             # restart node to rescan to force wallet notifications
             self.restart_node(1)
-            connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+            connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
 
             wait_until(
                 lambda: len(
diff --git a/test/functional/mining_basic.py b/test/functional/mining_basic.py
--- a/test/functional/mining_basic.py
+++ b/test/functional/mining_basic.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
 )
 
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
         assert_equal(mining_info['currentblocktx'], 0)
         assert_equal(mining_info['currentblocksize'], 1000)
         self.restart_node(0)
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
 
     def run_test(self):
         self.mine_chain()
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p_disconnect_ban.py b/test/functional/p2p_disconnect_ban.py
--- a/test/functional/p2p_disconnect_ban.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p_disconnect_ban.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     wait_until,
 )
 
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@
         self.num_nodes = 2
 
     def run_test(self):
+        self.log.info("Connect nodes both way")
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[0])
+
         self.log.info("Test setban and listbanned RPCs")
 
         self.log.info("setban: successfully ban single IP address")
@@ -85,7 +89,9 @@
 
         # Clear ban lists
         self.nodes[1].clearbanned()
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        self.log.info("Connect nodes both way")
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[0])
 
         self.log.info("Test disconnectnode RPCs")
 
@@ -112,7 +118,7 @@
 
         self.log.info("disconnectnode: successfully reconnect node")
         # reconnect the node
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         assert_equal(len(self.nodes[0].getpeerinfo()), 2)
         assert [node for node in self.nodes[0]
                 .getpeerinfo() if node['addr'] == address1]
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p_node_network_limited.py b/test/functional/p2p_node_network_limited.py
--- a/test/functional/p2p_node_network_limited.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p_node_network_limited.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     disconnect_nodes,
     wait_until,
 )
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 
         self.log.info(
             "Mine enough blocks to reach the NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED range.")
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         blocks = self.nodes[1].generatetoaddress(
             292, self.nodes[1].get_deterministic_priv_key().address)
         self.sync_blocks([self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1]])
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
         # connect unsynced node 2 with pruned NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED peer
         # because node 2 is in IBD and node 0 is a NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED peer,
         # sync must not be possible
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
         try:
             self.sync_blocks([self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2]], timeout=5)
         except Exception:
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
             self.nodes[2].getbestblockhash())['height'], 0)
 
         # now connect also to node 1 (non pruned)
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
 
         # sync must be possible
         self.sync_blocks()
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
 
         # connect node1 (non pruned) with node0 (pruned) and check if the can
         # sync
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
 
         # sync must be possible, node 1 is no longer in IBD and should
         # therefore connect to node 0 (NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED)
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p_tx_download.py b/test/functional/p2p_tx_download.py
--- a/test/functional/p2p_tx_download.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p_tx_download.py
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@
         #   peer, plus
         # * the first time it is re-requested from the outbound peer, plus
         # * 2 seconds to avoid races
+        assert not self.nodes[1].getpeerinfo()[0]['inbound']
         timeout = 2 + (MAX_GETDATA_RANDOM_DELAY + INBOUND_PEER_TX_DELAY) + (
             GETDATA_TX_INTERVAL + MAX_GETDATA_RANDOM_DELAY)
         self.log.info(
diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_fundrawtransaction.py b/test/functional/rpc_fundrawtransaction.py
--- a/test/functional/rpc_fundrawtransaction.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_fundrawtransaction.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     assert_greater_than,
     assert_greater_than_or_equal,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     find_vout_for_address,
 )
 
@@ -38,10 +38,10 @@
     def setup_network(self):
         self.setup_nodes()
 
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
 
     def run_test(self):
         min_relay_tx_fee = self.nodes[0].getnetworkinfo()['relayfee']
@@ -496,10 +496,10 @@
         for node in self.nodes:
             node.settxfee(min_relay_tx_fee)
 
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
         # Again lock the watchonly UTXO or nodes[0] may spend it, because
         # lockunspent is memory-only and thus lost on restart
         self.nodes[0].lockunspent(
diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_invalidateblock.py b/test/functional/rpc_invalidateblock.py
--- a/test/functional/rpc_invalidateblock.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_invalidateblock.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
 )
 
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
         assert self.nodes[1].getblockcount() == 6
 
         self.log.info("Connect nodes to force a reorg")
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         self.sync_blocks(self.nodes[0:2])
         assert self.nodes[0].getblockcount() == 6
         badhash = self.nodes[1].getblockhash(2)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
                 "Wrong tip for node0, hash {}, height {}".format(newhash, newheight))
 
         self.log.info("\nMake sure we won't reorg to a lower work chain:")
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
         self.log.info("Sync node 2 to node 1 so both have 6 blocks")
         self.sync_blocks(self.nodes[1:3])
         assert self.nodes[2].getblockcount() == 6
diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_net.py b/test/functional/rpc_net.py
--- a/test/functional/rpc_net.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_net.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
     assert_greater_than_or_equal,
     assert_greater_than,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     p2p_port,
     wait_until,
 )
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
                            ["-minrelaytxfee=0.00000500"]]
 
     def run_test(self):
+        self.log.info('Connect nodes both way')
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[0])
+
         self._test_connection_count()
         self._test_getnettotals()
         self._test_getnetworkinginfo()
@@ -39,7 +43,7 @@
         self._test_getnodeaddresses()
 
     def _test_connection_count(self):
-        # connect_nodes_bi connects each node to the other
+        # connect_nodes connects each node to the other
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getconnectioncount(), 2)
 
     def _test_getnettotals(self):
@@ -95,7 +99,10 @@
                    'connections'] == 0, timeout=3)
 
         self.nodes[0].setnetworkactive(state=True)
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        self.log.info('Connect nodes both way')
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[0])
+
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getnetworkinfo()['networkactive'], True)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getnetworkinfo()['connections'], 2)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_preciousblock.py b/test/functional/rpc_preciousblock.py
--- a/test/functional/rpc_preciousblock.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_preciousblock.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
 )
 
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
         # Submit competing blocks via RPC so any reorg should occur before we
         # proceed (no way to wait on inaction for p2p sync)
         node_sync_via_rpc(self.nodes[0:2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getbestblockhash(), hashC)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[1].getbestblockhash(), hashG)
         self.log.info("Make Node0 prefer block G")
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@
         hashL = self.nodes[2].getbestblockhash()
         self.log.info("Connect nodes and check no reorg occurs")
         node_sync_via_rpc(self.nodes[1:3])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getbestblockhash(), hashH)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[1].getbestblockhash(), hashH)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[2].getbestblockhash(), hashL)
diff --git a/test/functional/rpc_rawtransaction.py b/test/functional/rpc_rawtransaction.py
--- a/test/functional/rpc_rawtransaction.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpc_rawtransaction.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
     assert_equal,
     assert_greater_than,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     hex_str_to_bytes,
 )
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
 
     def setup_network(self):
         super().setup_network()
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
 
     def run_test(self):
         self.log.info(
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 from .util import (
     assert_equal,
     check_json_precision,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     disconnect_nodes,
     get_datadir_path,
     initialize_datadir,
@@ -265,8 +265,18 @@
         # Connect the nodes as a "chain".  This allows us
         # to split the network between nodes 1 and 2 to get
         # two halves that can work on competing chains.
+        #
+        # Topology looks like this:
+        # node0 <-- node1 <-- node2 <-- node3
+        #
+        # If all nodes are in IBD (clean chain from genesis), node0 is assumed to be the source of blocks (miner). To
+        # ensure block propagation, all nodes will establish outgoing connections toward node0.
+        # See fPreferredDownload in net_processing.
+        #
+        # If further outbound connections are needed, they can be added at the beginning of the test with e.g.
+        # connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], 2)
         for i in range(self.num_nodes - 1):
-            connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[i], self.nodes[i + 1])
+            connect_nodes(self.nodes[i + 1], self.nodes[i])
         self.sync_all()
 
     def setup_nodes(self):
@@ -416,7 +426,7 @@
         """
         Join the (previously split) network halves together.
         """
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
         self.sync_all()
 
     def sync_blocks(self, nodes=None, **kwargs):
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/util.py b/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
@@ -426,11 +426,6 @@
                            != 0 for peer in from_node.getpeerinfo()))
 
 
-def connect_nodes_bi(a, b):
-    connect_nodes(a, b)
-    connect_nodes(b, a)
-
-
 def sync_blocks(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
     """
     Wait until everybody has the same tip.
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_address_types.py b/test/functional/wallet_address_types.py
--- a/test/functional/wallet_address_types.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_address_types.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     assert_greater_than,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
 )
 
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
         # Fully mesh-connect nodes for faster mempool sync
         for i, j in itertools.product(range(self.num_nodes), repeat=2):
             if i > j:
-                connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[i], self.nodes[j])
+                connect_nodes(self.nodes[i], self.nodes[j])
         self.sync_all()
 
     def get_balances(self, confirmed=True):
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_basic.py b/test/functional/wallet_basic.py
--- a/test/functional/wallet_basic.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_basic.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     assert_equal,
     assert_fee_amount,
     assert_raises_rpc_error,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     count_bytes,
     wait_until,
 )
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@
         self.setup_nodes()
         # Only need nodes 0-2 running at start of test
         self.stop_node(3)
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
         self.sync_all(self.nodes[0:3])
 
     def check_fee_amount(self, curr_balance,
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
         ), node_0_bal + Decimal('10'), fee_per_byte, ctx.billable_size())
 
         self.start_node(3, self.extra_args[3])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[3])
         self.sync_all()
 
         # check if we can list zero value tx as available coins
@@ -280,9 +280,9 @@
         self.start_node(0, self.extra_args[0] + ["-walletbroadcast=0"])
         self.start_node(1, self.extra_args[1] + ["-walletbroadcast=0"])
         self.start_node(2, self.extra_args[2] + ["-walletbroadcast=0"])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
         self.sync_all(self.nodes[0:3])
 
         txIdNotBroadcasted = self.nodes[0].sendtoaddress(
@@ -311,9 +311,9 @@
         self.start_node(0, self.extra_args[0])
         self.start_node(1, self.extra_args[1])
         self.start_node(2, self.extra_args[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[2])
         self.sync_blocks(self.nodes[0:3])
 
         self.nodes[0].generate(1)
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_hd.py b/test/functional/wallet_hd.py
--- a/test/functional/wallet_hd.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_hd.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
     assert_raises_rpc_error
 )
 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
             assert_equal(hd_info_2["hdkeypath"], "m/0'/0'/" + str(i) + "'")
             assert_equal(hd_info_2["hdseedid"], masterkeyid)
         assert_equal(hd_add, hd_add_2)
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         self.sync_all()
 
         # Needs rescan
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
         shutil.copyfile(os.path.join(self.nodes[1].datadir, "hd.bak"), os.path.join(
             self.nodes[1].datadir, "regtest", "wallets", "wallet.dat"))
         self.start_node(1, extra_args=self.extra_args[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         self.sync_all()
         # Wallet automatically scans blocks older than key on startup
         assert_equal(self.nodes[1].getbalance(), NUM_HD_ADDS + 1)
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_keypool_topup.py b/test/functional/wallet_keypool_topup.py
--- a/test/functional/wallet_keypool_topup.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_keypool_topup.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
-    connect_nodes_bi,
+    connect_nodes,
 )
 
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
         self.stop_node(1)
         shutil.copyfile(wallet_path, wallet_backup_path)
         self.start_node(1, self.extra_args[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
 
         self.log.info("Generate keys for wallet")
         for _ in range(90):
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
         self.stop_node(1)
         shutil.copyfile(wallet_backup_path, wallet_path)
         self.start_node(1, self.extra_args[1])
-        connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[0], self.nodes[1])
         self.sync_all()
 
         self.log.info("Verify keypool is restored and balance is correct")
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet_listsinceblock.py b/test/functional/wallet_listsinceblock.py
--- a/test/functional/wallet_listsinceblock.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet_listsinceblock.py
@@ -4,10 +4,15 @@
 # file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
 """Test the listsincelast RPC."""
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import assert_equal, assert_array_result, assert_raises_rpc_error
+from test_framework.util import (
+    assert_array_result,
+    assert_equal,
+    assert_raises_rpc_error,
+    connect_nodes,
+)
 
 
-class ListSinceBlockTest (BitcoinTestFramework):
+class ListSinceBlockTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def set_test_params(self):
         self.num_nodes = 4
         self.setup_clean_chain = True
@@ -17,6 +22,9 @@
         self.skip_if_no_wallet()
 
     def run_test(self):
+        # All nodes are in IBD from genesis, so they'll need the miner (node2) to be an outbound connection, or have
+        # only one connection. (See fPreferredDownload in net_processing)
+        connect_nodes(self.nodes[1], self.nodes[2])
         self.nodes[2].generate(101)
         self.sync_all()