diff --git a/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py b/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
index aba10104a..7292123df 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils_pvpreload.py
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ def test_offload(tmp_path, caplog):
     pvname_4 = "TEST:PV4"
 
     # Create 2 PVs
-    pv_3 = get_pv(pvname_3, connect = True)
-    pv_4 = get_pv(pvname_4, connect = True)
+    pv_3 = epics.PV(pvname_3, connection_timeout=2)
+    pv_4 = epics.PV(pvname_4, connection_timeout=2)
 
     pv_3.wait_for_connection(timeout=2)
     pv_4.wait_for_connection(timeout=2)