diff --git a/spec/01-unit/21-dns-client/02-client_spec.lua b/spec/01-unit/21-dns-client/02-client_spec.lua
index f7411914a24a..c10744b47560 100644
--- a/spec/01-unit/21-dns-client/02-client_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/01-unit/21-dns-client/02-client_spec.lua
@@ -1987,7 +1987,7 @@ describe("[DNS client]", function()
     local force_enable_additional_section = false
 
     -- dns client will ignore additional section
-    query_func = function(self, original_query_func, name, options)
+    resolver.query_func = function(self, original_query_func, name, options)
       if options.qtype ~= client.TYPE_A then
         return { errcode = 5, errstr = "refused" }
       end