diff --git a/test/integration/targets/prepare_nxos_tests/tasks/main.yml b/test/integration/targets/prepare_nxos_tests/tasks/main.yml
index 454ece66bf..a5040cf93b 100644
--- a/test/integration/targets/prepare_nxos_tests/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/test/integration/targets/prepare_nxos_tests/tasks/main.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
   nxos_config:
     lines:
       - feature lldp
+  connection: network_cli
   ignore_errors: yes
 
 # Gather the list of interfaces on this device and make the list