diff --git a/tests/upsert_validator/test_validator_election_vote.py b/tests/upsert_validator/test_validator_election_vote.py
index c0798224..d555b0d7 100644
--- a/tests/upsert_validator/test_validator_election_vote.py
+++ b/tests/upsert_validator/test_validator_election_vote.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from bigchaindb.upsert_validator import ValidatorElection, ValidatorElectionVote
 from bigchaindb.common.exceptions import AmountError
 from bigchaindb.common.crypto import generate_key_pair
 from bigchaindb.common.exceptions import ValidationError
-
+from tests.utils import generate_block
 
 pytestmark = [pytest.mark.execute]
 
@@ -219,10 +219,13 @@ def test_valid_election_conclude(b_mock, valid_election, ed25519_node_keys):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.abci
-def test_upsert_validator(b, node_key, node_keys, new_validator, ed25519_node_keys):
+def test_upsert_validator(b, node_key, node_keys, ed25519_node_keys):
     import time
     import requests
 
+    if b.get_latest_block()['height'] == 0:
+        generate_block(b)
+
     (node_pub, _) = list(node_keys.items())[0]
 
     validators = [{'pub_key': {'type': 'ed25519',
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index d9805f62..349f7e5a 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -21,3 +21,19 @@ def flush_localmongo_db(connection, dbname):
     connection.conn[dbname].metadata.delete_many({})
     connection.conn[dbname].utxos.delete_many({})
     connection.conn[dbname].validators.delete_many({})
+
+
+def generate_block(bigchain):
+    from bigchaindb.common.crypto import generate_key_pair
+    from bigchaindb.models import Transaction
+    import time
+
+    alice = generate_key_pair()
+    tx = Transaction.create([alice.public_key],
+                            [([alice.public_key], 1)],
+                            asset=None)\
+                    .sign([alice.private_key])
+
+    code, message = bigchain.write_transaction(tx, 'broadcast_tx_commit')
+    assert code == 202
+    time.sleep(2)