diff --git a/spec/02-integration/02-cmd/06-restart_spec.lua b/spec/02-integration/02-cmd/06-restart_spec.lua
index 060bb3ca0a4b..b06a3d7e2e7b 100644
--- a/spec/02-integration/02-cmd/06-restart_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/02-integration/02-cmd/06-restart_spec.lua
@@ -7,11 +7,14 @@ end
 describe("kong restart", function()
   lazy_setup(function()
     helpers.get_db_utils(nil, {}) -- runs migrations
-    helpers.prepare_prefix()
   end)
   lazy_teardown(function()
     helpers.clean_prefix()
   end)
+  before_each(function()
+    helpers.clean_prefix()
+    helpers.prepare_prefix()
+  end)
   after_each(function()
     helpers.kill_all()
   end)