diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
index 6c18ef47ab..7375ab1fb7 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -100,11 +100,11 @@ class BitcoinTestFramework(metaclass=BitcoinTestMetaClass):
         self.bind_to_localhost_only = True
         self.set_test_params()
 
-        assert hasattr(self, "num_nodes"), "Test must set self.num_nodes in set_test_params()"
-
     def main(self):
         """Main function. This should not be overridden by the subclass test scripts."""
 
+        assert hasattr(self, "num_nodes"), "Test must set self.num_nodes in set_test_params()"
+
         self.parse_args()
 
         try: