diff --git a/tools/sim/bridge.py b/tools/sim/bridge.py
index a6f4672e68..0b07c1b0e5 100755
--- a/tools/sim/bridge.py
+++ b/tools/sim/bridge.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ from common.numpy_fast import clip
 from common.params import Params
 from common.realtime import DT_DMON, Ratekeeper
 from selfdrive.car.honda.values import CruiseButtons
-from selfdrive.manager.helpers import unblock_stdout
 from selfdrive.test.helpers import set_params_enabled
 from tools.sim.lib.can import can_function
 
@@ -512,7 +511,6 @@ class CarlaBridge:
       t.join()
 
   def run(self, queue, retries=-1):
-    unblock_stdout()  # Fix error when publishing too many lag message
     bridge_p = Process(target=self.bridge_keep_alive, args=(queue, retries), daemon=True)
     bridge_p.start()
     return bridge_p
diff --git a/tools/sim/test/test_carla_integration.py b/tools/sim/test/test_carla_integration.py
index 8801a432fd..e70e881f0f 100755
--- a/tools/sim/test/test_carla_integration.py
+++ b/tools/sim/test/test_carla_integration.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import unittest
 from multiprocessing import Queue
 
 from cereal import messaging
+from selfdrive.manager.helpers import unblock_stdout
 from tools.sim import bridge
 from tools.sim.bridge import CarlaBridge
 
@@ -21,6 +22,8 @@ class TestCarlaIntegration(unittest.TestCase):
     subprocess.run("docker rm -f carla_sim", shell=True, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, check=False)
 
     self.processes.append(subprocess.Popen(".././start_carla.sh"))
+    # Too many lagging messages in bridge.py can cause a crash. This prevents it.
+    unblock_stdout()
 
   def test_run_bridge(self):
     # Test bridge connect with carla and runs without any errors for 60 seconds