diff --git a/test/distributed/org/apache/cassandra/distributed/impl/AbstractCluster.java b/test/distributed/org/apache/cassandra/distributed/impl/AbstractCluster.java
index 1dc7a657fa..c27d9bf2d8 100644
--- a/test/distributed/org/apache/cassandra/distributed/impl/AbstractCluster.java
+++ b/test/distributed/org/apache/cassandra/distributed/impl/AbstractCluster.java
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractCluster<I extends IInstance> implements ICluster,
         {
             if (!isShutdown)
                 throw new IllegalStateException();
-            delegate.startup(AbstractCluster.this);
+            delegate().startup(AbstractCluster.this);
             isShutdown = false;
             updateMessagingVersions();
         }