diff --git a/test/functional/interface_rest.py b/test/functional/interface_rest.py
index 8eeff5e9662..a3d949c6a87 100755
--- a/test/functional/interface_rest.py
+++ b/test/functional/interface_rest.py
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ class RESTTest (BitcoinTestFramework):
     def set_test_params(self):
         self.num_nodes = 2
         self.extra_args = [["-rest", "-blockfilterindex=1"], []]
+        # whitelist peers to speed up tx relay / mempool sync
+        for args in self.extra_args:
+            args.append("-whitelist=noban@127.0.0.1")
         self.supports_cli = False
 
     def test_rest_request(self, uri, http_method='GET', req_type=ReqType.JSON, body='', status=200, ret_type=RetType.JSON):