diff --git a/tests/common/checks/test_graph_check_loading.py b/tests/common/checks/test_graph_check_loading.py
index 53cca682d62..ec0ad4d633e 100644
--- a/tests/common/checks/test_graph_check_loading.py
+++ b/tests/common/checks/test_graph_check_loading.py
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ def test_external_checks_and_graph_checks_load(self):
         runner_filter = RunnerFilter(framework=['terraform'])
         external_graph_checks = 0
 
+        # make sure internal checks are loaded beforehand
+        runner.graph_registry.load_checks()
+
         # with external yaml checks external graph registry checks count should be equal to the external graph checks
         extra_checks_dir_path = [current_dir + "/extra_checks", current_dir + "/extra_yaml_checks"]
         runner.run(root_folder=current_dir, external_checks_dir=extra_checks_dir_path,