diff --git a/tests/acceptance/cli/ursula/test_stake_via_allocation_contract.py b/tests/acceptance/cli/ursula/test_stake_via_allocation_contract.py
index 6843fcb53..7d6800130 100644
--- a/tests/acceptance/cli/ursula/test_stake_via_allocation_contract.py
+++ b/tests/acceptance/cli/ursula/test_stake_via_allocation_contract.py
@@ -555,7 +555,6 @@ def test_collect_rewards_integration(click_runner,
     assert arrangement.ursula == ursula
 
     # Bob learns about the new staker and joins the policy
-    blockchain_bob.start_learning_loop()
     blockchain_bob.remember_node(node=ursula)
     blockchain_bob.join_policy(random_policy_label, bytes(blockchain_alice.stamp))
 
diff --git a/tests/fixtures.py b/tests/fixtures.py
index c26c59cd5..6ec3bb1ed 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures.py
+++ b/tests/fixtures.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ def bob_blockchain_test_config(blockchain_ursulas, testerchain, test_registry):
                                          provider_uri=TEST_PROVIDER_URI,
                                          test_registry=test_registry,
                                          checksum_address=testerchain.bob_account,
-                                         known_nodes=blockchain_ursulas)
+                                         )
     yield config
     config.cleanup()
 
diff --git a/tests/mock/performance_mocks.py b/tests/mock/performance_mocks.py
index 058927e83..dd6610e40 100644
--- a/tests/mock/performance_mocks.py
+++ b/tests/mock/performance_mocks.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from nucypher.network.server import make_rest_app
 from tests.mock.serials import good_serials
-from tests.utils.ursula import MOCK_KNOWN_URSULAS_CACHE
 from umbral.config import default_params
 from umbral.keys import UmbralPublicKey
 from umbral.signing import Signature
diff --git a/tests/utils/middleware.py b/tests/utils/middleware.py
index 6e22cb73e..437ea5f12 100644
--- a/tests/utils/middleware.py
+++ b/tests/utils/middleware.py
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ class MockRestMiddleware(RestMiddleware):
     class TEACHER_NODES:
 
         @classmethod
-        def get(_cls, item, default):
+        def get(_cls, item, _default):
             if item is TEMPORARY_DOMAIN:
-                nodes = tuple(u.rest_url() for u in MOCK_KNOWN_URSULAS_CACHE.values())
+                nodes = tuple(u.rest_url() for u in MOCK_KNOWN_URSULAS_CACHE.values())[0:2]
             else:
                 nodes = tuple()
             return nodes