diff --git a/test/sharness/t0183-namesys-pubsub.sh b/test/sharness/t0183-namesys-pubsub.sh
index f4684af4c70..91bddea4d19 100755
--- a/test/sharness/t0183-namesys-pubsub.sh
+++ b/test/sharness/t0183-namesys-pubsub.sh
@@ -26,9 +26,11 @@ test_expect_success 'check namesys pubsub state' '
     test_cmp expected state2
 '
 
+# These commands are *expected* to fail. We haven't published anything yet.
 test_expect_success 'subscribe nodes to the publisher topic' '
-    ipfsi 1 name resolve /ipns/$PEERID_0 &&
-    ipfsi 2 name resolve /ipns/$PEERID_0
+    ipfsi 1 name resolve /ipns/$PEERID_0;
+    ipfsi 2 name resolve /ipns/$PEERID_0;
+    true
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'check subscriptions' '