diff --git a/test/client/client.go b/test/client/client.go
index 52b973493..f3bc175e9 100644
--- a/test/client/client.go
+++ b/test/client/client.go
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ func (c *RTCClient) ensurePublisherConnected() error {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return fmt.Errorf("could not connect publisher after timeout")
 		case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
-			if c.publisher.HasEverConnected() {
+			if c.publisherFullyEstablished.Load() {
 				return nil
 			}
 		}