diff --git a/tests/test_clustering/test_things.py b/tests/test_clustering/test_things.py
index 8de0bd6d2225667c4585e43d69ab4e7ffce866bc..d5a04e6dbe3c2ed5cf3e9e88e717a5ff459682ea 100644
--- a/tests/test_clustering/test_things.py
+++ b/tests/test_clustering/test_things.py
@@ -24,11 +24,7 @@ class TestConnecting(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_on_clean(self):
         q = {'failed': False}
-        def on_fail():
-            raise Exception()
-            q['failed'] = True
-
-        c = Cluster([NODE], on_fail=on_fail)
+        c = Cluster([NODE], on_fail=lambda: q.update(failed=True))
         c.start(wait=True)
         c.shutdown()
         time.sleep(5)