diff --git a/barbican_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/test_volume_encryption.py b/barbican_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/test_volume_encryption.py
index 2d86621..c654608 100644
--- a/barbican_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/test_volume_encryption.py
+++ b/barbican_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/test_volume_encryption.py
@@ -55,11 +55,17 @@ class VolumeEncryptionTest(barbican_manager.BarbicanScenarioTest):
         return self.create_volume(volume_type=volume_type['name'])
 
     def attach_detach_volume(self, server, volume, keypair):
+        # test if server is accessible
+        server_ip = self.get_server_ip(server)
+        self.get_remote_client(
+            server_ip,
+            private_key=keypair['private_key']
+        )
+
         # Attach volume
         attached_volume = self.nova_volume_attach(server, volume)
 
         # Write a timestamp to volume
-        server_ip = self.get_server_ip(server)
         timestamp = self.create_timestamp(
             server_ip,
             dev_name=CONF.compute.volume_device_name,