diff --git a/tests/shell/tests/01-run.py b/tests/shell/tests/01-run.py
index 1930300ff8..df19cee210 100755
--- a/tests/shell/tests/01-run.py
+++ b/tests/shell/tests/01-run.py
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ def check_cmd(child, cmd, expected):
         child.expect_exact(line)
 
 
+def check_startup(child):
+    child.sendline(CONTROL_C)
+    child.expect_exact(PROMPT)
+
+
 def check_and_get_bufsize(child):
     child.sendline('bufsize')
     child.expect('([0-9]+)\r\n')
@@ -78,6 +83,8 @@ def testfunc(child):
     if BOARD == 'native':
         child.crlf = '\n'
 
+    check_startup(child)
+
     bufsize = check_and_get_bufsize(child)
 
     # loop other defined commands and expected output