diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/mininode.py b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/mininode.py
index 91daa4ab1..696a06528 100755
--- a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/mininode.py
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/mininode.py
@@ -1614,7 +1614,7 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         "regtest": b"\xfa\xbf\xb5\xda",   # regtest
     }
 
-    def __init__(self, dstaddr, dstport, rpc, callback, net="regtest", services=NODE_NETWORK):
+    def __init__(self, dstaddr, dstport, rpc, callback, net="regtest", services=NODE_NETWORK, send_version=True):
         asyncore.dispatcher.__init__(self, map=mininode_socket_map)
         self.log = logging.getLogger("NodeConn(%s:%d)" % (dstaddr, dstport))
         self.dstaddr = dstaddr
@@ -1631,14 +1631,16 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         self.disconnect = False
         self.nServices = 0
 
-        # stuff version msg into sendbuf
-        vt = msg_version()
-        vt.nServices = services
-        vt.addrTo.ip = self.dstaddr
-        vt.addrTo.port = self.dstport
-        vt.addrFrom.ip = "0.0.0.0"
-        vt.addrFrom.port = 0
-        self.send_message(vt, True)
+        if send_version:
+            # stuff version msg into sendbuf
+            vt = msg_version()
+            vt.nServices = services
+            vt.addrTo.ip = self.dstaddr
+            vt.addrTo.port = self.dstport
+            vt.addrFrom.ip = "0.0.0.0"
+            vt.addrFrom.port = 0
+            self.send_message(vt, True)
+
         print('MiniNode: Connecting to Bitcoin Node IP # ' + dstaddr + ':' \
             + str(dstport))
 
@@ -1652,8 +1654,9 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         self.log.debug(msg)
 
     def handle_connect(self):
-        self.show_debug_msg("MiniNode: Connected & Listening: \n")
-        self.state = "connected"
+        if self.state != "connected":
+            self.show_debug_msg("MiniNode: Connected & Listening: \n")
+            self.state = "connected"
 
     def handle_close(self):
         self.show_debug_msg("MiniNode: Closing Connection to %s:%d... "
@@ -1681,11 +1684,20 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
 
     def writable(self):
         with mininode_lock:
+            pre_connection = self.state == "connecting"
             length = len(self.sendbuf)
-        return (length > 0)
+        return (length > 0 or pre_connection)
 
     def handle_write(self):
         with mininode_lock:
+            # asyncore does not expose socket connection, only the first read/write
+            # event, thus we must check connection manually here to know when we
+            # actually connect
+            if self.state == "connecting":
+                self.handle_connect()
+            if not self.writable():
+                return
+
             try:
                 sent = self.send(self.sendbuf)
             except: