diff --git a/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.000 b/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.000
index 33ca9856d..2b937f63d 100755
--- a/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.000
+++ b/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.000
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ monitor_interval=1000
 detect_stale_master=false
 detect_standalone_master=false
 auto_failover=true
+failcount=1
 
 [RW Split Router]
 type=service
diff --git a/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.001 b/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.001
index 2e1c36042..b0ed8ba3b 100755
--- a/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.001
+++ b/maxscale-system-test/cnf/maxscale.cnf.template.keepalived_masterdown.001
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ monitor_interval=1000
 detect_stale_master=false
 detect_standalone_master=false
 auto_failover=true
+failcount=1
 
 [RW Split Router]
 type=service