diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/httpbasics.py b/qa/rpc-tests/httpbasics.py
index 85e85e7f0..7a9857a77 100755
--- a/qa/rpc-tests/httpbasics.py
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/httpbasics.py
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ except ImportError:
     import urlparse
 
 class HTTPBasicsTest (BitcoinTestFramework):        
+    def setup_nodes(self):
+        return start_nodes(4, self.options.tmpdir, extra_args=[['-rpckeepalive']]*4)
+
     def run_test(self):        
         
         #################################################
diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework.py b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework.py
index 6c4ec073c..4c8a11b82 100755
--- a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework.py
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework.py
@@ -33,8 +33,11 @@ class BitcoinTestFramework(object):
         print("Initializing test directory "+self.options.tmpdir)
         initialize_chain(self.options.tmpdir)
 
+    def setup_nodes(self):
+        return start_nodes(4, self.options.tmpdir)
+
     def setup_network(self, split = False):
-        self.nodes = start_nodes(4, self.options.tmpdir)
+        self.nodes = self.setup_nodes()
 
         # Connect the nodes as a "chain".  This allows us
         # to split the network between nodes 1 and 2 to get