diff --git a/src/python/oftest/testutils.py b/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
index 40b24ed..821f962 100644
--- a/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
+++ b/src/python/oftest/testutils.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
     msg.out_port = ofp.OFPP_NONE
     msg.buffer_id = 0xffffffff
     ctrl.message_send(msg)
+    do_barrier(ctrl)
     return 0 # for backwards compatibility
 
 def required_wildcards(parent):