diff --git a/test/py/conftest.py b/test/py/conftest.py
index 46a410cf268..7a52b966154 100644
--- a/test/py/conftest.py
+++ b/test/py/conftest.py
@@ -80,6 +80,8 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption('--gdbserver', default=None,
         help='Run sandbox under gdbserver. The argument is the channel '+
         'over which gdbserver should communicate, e.g. localhost:1234')
+    parser.addoption('--use-running-system', default=False, action='store_true',
+        help="Assume that U-Boot is ready and don't wait for a prompt")
 
 def run_build(config, source_dir, build_dir, board_type, log):
     """run_build: Build U-Boot
@@ -254,6 +256,7 @@ def pytest_configure(config):
     ubconfig.board_type = board_type
     ubconfig.board_identity = board_identity
     ubconfig.gdbserver = gdbserver
+    ubconfig.use_running_system = config.getoption('use_running_system')
     ubconfig.dtb = build_dir + '/arch/sandbox/dts/test.dtb'
     ubconfig.connection_ok = True
 
diff --git a/test/py/u_boot_console_base.py b/test/py/u_boot_console_base.py
index 965832a4989..311e649d55b 100644
--- a/test/py/u_boot_console_base.py
+++ b/test/py/u_boot_console_base.py
@@ -441,11 +441,17 @@ class ConsoleBase(object):
             if not self.config.gdbserver:
                 self.p.timeout = TIMEOUT_MS
             self.p.logfile_read = self.logstream
-            if expect_reset:
-                loop_num = 2
+            if self.config.use_running_system:
+                # Send an empty command to set up the 'expect' logic. This has
+                # the side effect of ensuring that there was no partial command
+                # line entered
+                self.run_command(' ')
             else:
-                loop_num = 1
-            self.wait_for_boot_prompt(loop_num = loop_num)
+                if expect_reset:
+                    loop_num = 2
+                else:
+                    loop_num = 1
+                self.wait_for_boot_prompt(loop_num = loop_num)
             self.at_prompt = True
             self.at_prompt_logevt = self.logstream.logfile.cur_evt
         except Exception as ex:
diff --git a/test/py/u_boot_console_exec_attach.py b/test/py/u_boot_console_exec_attach.py
index 5f4916b7da2..8b253b4451d 100644
--- a/test/py/u_boot_console_exec_attach.py
+++ b/test/py/u_boot_console_exec_attach.py
@@ -59,15 +59,18 @@ class ConsoleExecAttach(ConsoleBase):
         args = [self.config.board_type, self.config.board_identity]
         s = Spawn(['u-boot-test-console'] + args)
 
-        try:
-            self.log.action('Resetting board')
-            cmd = ['u-boot-test-reset'] + args
-            runner = self.log.get_runner(cmd[0], sys.stdout)
-            runner.run(cmd)
-            runner.close()
-        except:
-            s.close()
-            raise
+        if self.config.use_running_system:
+            self.log.action('Connecting to board without reset')
+        else:
+            try:
+                self.log.action('Resetting board')
+                cmd = ['u-boot-test-reset'] + args
+                runner = self.log.get_runner(cmd[0], sys.stdout)
+                runner.run(cmd)
+                runner.close()
+            except:
+                s.close()
+                raise
 
         return s