diff --git a/lbry/wallet/ledger.py b/lbry/wallet/ledger.py
index d3b63eacd..27a0ed992 100644
--- a/lbry/wallet/ledger.py
+++ b/lbry/wallet/ledger.py
@@ -316,12 +316,12 @@ class Ledger(metaclass=LedgerRegistry):
             self.db.open(),
             self.headers.open()
         ])
-        first_connection = self.network.on_connected.first
-        first_ready = self.on_ready.first
-        asyncio.ensure_future(self.network.start())
-        await first_connection
+        fully_synced = self.on_ready.first
+        asyncio.create_task(self.network.start())
+        await self.network.on_connected.first
         async with self._header_processing_lock:
             await self._update_tasks.add(self.initial_headers_sync())
+        await fully_synced
         await asyncio.gather(*(a.maybe_migrate_certificates() for a in self.accounts))
         await asyncio.gather(*(a.save_max_gap() for a in self.accounts))
         if len(self.accounts) > 10:
@@ -329,12 +329,9 @@ class Ledger(metaclass=LedgerRegistry):
         else:
             await self._report_state()
         self.on_transaction.listen(self._reset_balance_cache)
-        await first_ready
 
     async def join_network(self, *_):
         log.info("Subscribing and updating accounts.")
-        async with self._header_processing_lock:
-            await self._update_tasks.add(self.initial_headers_sync())
         await self._update_tasks.add(self.subscribe_accounts())
         await self._update_tasks.done.wait()
         self._on_ready_controller.add(True)
diff --git a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
index fdfa85c95..eacd0d0e6 100644
--- a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
+++ b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
@@ -60,14 +60,7 @@ class NetworkTests(IntegrationTestCase):
             }, await self.ledger.network.get_server_features())
 
 
-class NetworkConnectionTests(IntegrationTestCase):
-
-    async def test_on_ready_listening_before_event_fix_2896(self):
-        await self.ledger.stop()
-        # slow down other parts to make network finish first and fire on_ready
-        self.account.maybe_migrate_certificates = lambda: asyncio.sleep(2)
-        await asyncio.wait_for(self.ledger.start(), timeout=3)
-        # above ledger.start() will fail if on_ready fired before listening
+class ReconnectTests(IntegrationTestCase):
 
     async def test_multiple_servers(self):
         # we have a secondary node that connects later, so