diff --git a/testutil/network/util.go b/testutil/network/util.go
index 7ec5f01c..f4464763 100644
--- a/testutil/network/util.go
+++ b/testutil/network/util.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func startInProcess(cfg Config, val *Validator) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if err := val.tmNode.Start(); err != nil {
+	if err := tmNode.Start(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}