diff --git a/nixos/tests/radicle-ci-broker.nix b/nixos/tests/radicle-ci-broker.nix
index 19f48aa33fe0..28330c7784af 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/radicle-ci-broker.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/radicle-ci-broker.nix
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ in
       ];
     };
 
+  interactive.sshBackdoor.enable = true;
+  interactive.defaults.virtualisation.graphics = false;
+
   testScript = ''
     import json
     import time