diff --git a/test_runner/fixtures/neon_fixtures.py b/test_runner/fixtures/neon_fixtures.py
index 388c1eb046..7e3cc19829 100644
--- a/test_runner/fixtures/neon_fixtures.py
+++ b/test_runner/fixtures/neon_fixtures.py
@@ -4390,6 +4390,7 @@ class Safekeeper(LogUtils):
                 "1s",
                 "--eviction-min-resident",
                 "10s",
+                "--wal-reader-fanout",
             ]
 
         self.extra_opts = extra_opts