diff --git a/multi-node-testkit/src/main/scala/org/apache/pekko/remote/testconductor/Player.scala b/multi-node-testkit/src/main/scala/org/apache/pekko/remote/testconductor/Player.scala
index b58c7f5dd64..570be3b53b4 100644
--- a/multi-node-testkit/src/main/scala/org/apache/pekko/remote/testconductor/Player.scala
+++ b/multi-node-testkit/src/main/scala/org/apache/pekko/remote/testconductor/Player.scala
@@ -212,11 +212,11 @@ private[pekko] class ClientFSM(name: RoleName, controllerAddr: InetSocketAddress
     case Event(Done, _) =>
       log.debug("received Done: starting test")
       goto(Connected)
+    case Event(msg: ServerOp, _) =>
+      stay().replying(Status.Failure(new IllegalStateException(s"not connected yet but received $msg")))
     case Event(msg: NetworkOp, _) =>
       log.error("received {} instead of Done", msg)
       goto(Failed)
-    case Event(_: ServerOp, _) =>
-      stay().replying(Status.Failure(new IllegalStateException("not connected yet")))
     case Event(StateTimeout, _) =>
       log.error("connect timeout to TestConductor")
       goto(Failed)