diff --git a/src/steps/rln.py b/src/steps/rln.py
index d757404a..d2017489 100644
--- a/src/steps/rln.py
+++ b/src/steps/rln.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class StepsRLN:
         self.main_nodes.extend([self.node1, self.node2])
 
     @allure.step
-    def setup_first_non_default_rln_relay_node(self, **kwargs):
+    def setup_first_rln_relay_node(self, **kwargs):
         self.node1 = WakuNode(DEFAULT_NWAKU, f"node1_{self.test_id}")
         self.node1.start(relay="true", nodekey=NODEKEY, rln_creds_source=RLN_CREDENTIALS, rln_creds_id="1", rln_relay_membership_index="1", **kwargs)
         self.enr_uri = self.node1.get_enr_uri()
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class StepsRLN:
         self.main_nodes.extend([self.node1])
 
     @allure.step
-    def setup_second_non_default_rln_relay_node(self, **kwargs):
+    def setup_second_rln_relay_node(self, **kwargs):
         self.node2 = WakuNode(DEFAULT_NWAKU, f"node2_{self.test_id}")
         self.node2.start(
             relay="true",
@@ -98,3 +98,13 @@ class StepsRLN:
             sender = self.node1
 
         sender.send_relay_message(message, pubsub_topic)
+
+    @allure.step
+    def ensure_relay_subscriptions_on_nodes(self, node_list, pubsub_topic_list):
+        for node in node_list:
+            node.set_relay_subscriptions(pubsub_topic_list)
+
+    @allure.step
+    def subscribe_main_relay_nodes(self):
+        logger.debug(f"Running fixture setup: {inspect.currentframe().f_code.co_name}")
+        self.ensure_relay_subscriptions_on_nodes(self.main_nodes, [self.test_pubsub_topic])
diff --git a/tests/relay/test_rln.py b/tests/relay/test_rln.py
index e41a56b8..d48fcd69 100644
--- a/tests/relay/test_rln.py
+++ b/tests/relay/test_rln.py
@@ -12,9 +12,12 @@ from src.test_data import SAMPLE_INPUTS
 logger = get_custom_logger(__name__)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures("register_main_rln_relay_nodes", "setup_main_rln_relay_nodes", "subscribe_main_relay_nodes")
+@pytest.mark.usefixtures("register_main_rln_relay_nodes")
 class TestRelayRLN(StepsRLN, StepsRelay):
     def test_publish_with_valid_payloads_at_slow_rate(self):
+        self.setup_first_rln_relay_node()
+        self.setup_second_rln_relay_node()
+        self.subscribe_main_relay_nodes()
         failed_payloads = []
         for payload in SAMPLE_INPUTS[:5]:
             logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
@@ -24,10 +27,13 @@ class TestRelayRLN(StepsRLN, StepsRelay):
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.error(f'Payload {payload["description"]} failed: {str(e)}')
                 failed_payloads.append(payload["description"])
-            delay(self.epoch_time)
+            delay(1)
             assert not failed_payloads, f"Payloads failed: {failed_payloads}"
 
     def test_publish_with_valid_payloads_at_spam_rate(self):
+        self.setup_first_rln_relay_node()
+        self.setup_second_rln_relay_node()
+        self.subscribe_main_relay_nodes()
         previous = math.trunc(time())
         for i, payload in enumerate(SAMPLE_INPUTS[:4]):
             logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
@@ -43,13 +49,16 @@ class TestRelayRLN(StepsRLN, StepsRelay):
                 assert "RLN validation failed" in str(e)
 
     def test_publish_with_valid_payloads_at_variable_rate(self):
+        self.setup_first_rln_relay_node()
+        self.setup_second_rln_relay_node()
+        self.subscribe_main_relay_nodes()
         previous = math.trunc(time())
         for i, payload in enumerate(SAMPLE_INPUTS):
             logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
             message = self.create_message(payload=to_base64(payload["value"]))
             try:
                 if i % 2 == 1:  # every sample with odd index is sent slowly
-                    delay(self.epoch_time + 1)
+                    delay(1 + 1)
                 now = math.trunc(time())
                 logger.debug(f"Message sent at timestamp {now}")
                 self.publish_message(message)