diff --git a/artiq/test/test_lda.py b/artiq/test/test_lda.py
index 2307f4dd2..76c9e01bd 100644
--- a/artiq/test/test_lda.py
+++ b/artiq/test/test_lda.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import unittest
+import sys
 
 from artiq.devices.lda.driver import Ldasim
 from artiq.language.units import dB
-from artiq.test.hardware_testbench import ControllerCase
+from artiq.test.hardware_testbench import GenericControllerCase, ControllerCase
 
 
 class GenericLdaTest:
@@ -24,6 +25,20 @@ class TestLda(ControllerCase, GenericLdaTest):
         self.cont = self.device_mgr.get("lda")
 
 
-class TestLdaSim(GenericLdaTest, unittest.TestCase):
+class TestLdaSim(GenericControllerCase, GenericLdaTest):
+    def get_device_db(self):
+        return {
+            "lda": {
+                "type": "controller",
+                "host": "::1",
+                "port": 3253,
+                "command": (sys.executable.replace("\\", "\\\\")
+                            + " -m artiq.frontend.aqctl_lda "
+                            + "-p {port} --simulation")
+            }
+        }
+
     def setUp(self):
-        self.cont = Ldasim()
+        GenericControllerCase.setUp(self)
+        self.start_controller("lda")
+        self.cont = self.device_mgr.get("lda")