diff --git a/tests/wipy/uart.py b/tests/wipy/uart.py
index 24c879218c..d6910eaa1f 100644
--- a/tests/wipy/uart.py
+++ b/tests/wipy/uart.py
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ elif 'WiPy' in machine:
 else:
     raise Exception('Board not supported!')
 
+# just in case we have stdio duplicated on any of the uarts
+pyb.repl_uart(None)
+
 for uart_id in uart_id_range:
     uart = UART(uart_id, 38400)
     print(uart)