diff --git a/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py b/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
index 8d4bd3042..465dfe54c 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
@@ -174,8 +174,8 @@ def test_offload(tmp_path, caplog):
     pvname_4 = "TEST:PV4"
 
     # Create 2 PVs
-    pv_3 = PV(pvname_3, connection_timeout=2)
-    pv_4 = PV(pvname_4, connection_timeout=2)
+    get_pv(pv_3)
+    get_pv(pv_4)
 
     assert is_pv_in_cache(pvname_3)
     assert is_pv_in_cache(pvname_4)