diff --git a/tests/ensemble_ring_changes.erl b/tests/ensemble_ring_changes.erl
index 00c8bd6f..6823d76e 100644
--- a/tests/ensemble_ring_changes.erl
+++ b/tests/ensemble_ring_changes.erl
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ expand_cluster(OldNodes, NewNodes0) ->
     Replacements.
 
 build_initial_cluster(Config) ->
-    TotalNodes = 9,
+    TotalNodes = 8,
     InitialNodes = 3,
     Nodes = rt:deploy_nodes(TotalNodes, Config),
     Node = hd(Nodes),