diff --git a/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.cpp b/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.cpp
index 61bcad2f9..9b41b47a4 100644
--- a/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.cpp
+++ b/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.cpp
@@ -230,13 +230,6 @@ int Maxscales::restart_maxscale(int m)
     return res;
 }
 
-int Maxscales::start_maxscale(int m)
-{
-    int res = ssh_node(m, "service maxscale start", true);
-    fflush(stdout);
-    return res;
-}
-
 int Maxscales::stop_maxscale(int m)
 {
     int res = ssh_node(m, "service maxscale stop", true);
@@ -244,7 +237,6 @@ int Maxscales::stop_maxscale(int m)
     return res;
 }
 
-
 int Maxscales::execute_maxadmin_command(int m, const char* cmd)
 {
     return ssh_node_f(m, true, "maxadmin %s", cmd);
diff --git a/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.h b/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.h
index 1efe986f5..0df0a82bd 100644
--- a/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.h
+++ b/maxscale-system-test/maxscales.h
@@ -250,9 +250,12 @@ public:
     }
 
     /**
-     * @brief start_maxscale Issues 'service maxscale start' command
+     * @brief alias for restart_maxscale
      */
-    int start_maxscale(int m = 0);
+    int start_maxscale(int m = 0)
+    {
+        return restart_maxscale(m);
+    }
     int start(int m = 0)
     {
         return start_maxscale(m);