diff --git a/testsuite/python/lb_lees_edwards.py b/testsuite/python/lb_lees_edwards.py
index 32963952cd..c0e3759d05 100644
--- a/testsuite/python/lb_lees_edwards.py
+++ b/testsuite/python/lb_lees_edwards.py
@@ -345,6 +345,13 @@ def test_lebc_mismatch(self):
                     tau=system.time_step)
         self.assertIsNone(system.lb)
 
+        # no thermalization (switched order of instantiation)
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(RuntimeError, "Lees-Edwards LB doesn't support thermalization"):
+            with LBContextManager(kT=1., seed=42) as lbf:
+                LEContextManager('x', 'y', 1.)
+        self.assertIsNone(system.lb)
+
+
         with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "Lees-Edwards sweep is implemented for a ghost layer of thickness 1"):
             lattice = espressomd.lb.LatticeWalberla(agrid=1., n_ghost_layers=2)
             with LEContextManager('x', 'y', 1.):