diff --git a/tests/sys/kern/fdgrowtable_test.c b/tests/sys/kern/fdgrowtable_test.c
index 75c3d6701c0..6ea42bd076a 100644
--- a/tests/sys/kern/fdgrowtable_test.c
+++ b/tests/sys/kern/fdgrowtable_test.c
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ ATF_TC_BODY(free_oldtables, tc)
 static _Noreturn void *
 exec_thread(void *args)
 {
+	openfiles(128);
 	for (;;)
 		sleep(1);
 }