diff --git a/tests/validation/multigrid/test_block_stepper.py b/tests/validation/multigrid/test_block_stepper.py
index 689dd06..c2fb6c1 100644
--- a/tests/validation/multigrid/test_block_stepper.py
+++ b/tests/validation/multigrid/test_block_stepper.py
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ class CpuContracts(unittest.TestCase):
         backend.ctx = Mock(activate=nullcontext)
         backend._lock = RLock()
         backend._status = "ready"
+        backend._step_count = 0
         backend._stream = Mock()
         backend._module = Mock()
         backend._copy = backend._step = Mock()