diff --git a/artiq/test/coredevice/test_rtio.py b/artiq/test/coredevice/test_rtio.py
index 817442dcf..f728ca1c3 100644
--- a/artiq/test/coredevice/test_rtio.py
+++ b/artiq/test/coredevice/test_rtio.py
@@ -476,6 +476,7 @@ class _DMA(EnvExperiment):
 
     @kernel
     def replay(self):
+        self.break_realtime()
         self.core_dma.replay(self.trace_name)
 
     @kernel