diff --git a/radicle-node/src/service.rs b/radicle-node/src/service.rs
index f8c38a74..591bc653 100644
--- a/radicle-node/src/service.rs
+++ b/radicle-node/src/service.rs
@@ -385,6 +385,8 @@ where
                 .repo_policies()?
                 .filter_map(|t| (t.policy == tracking::Policy::Track).then_some(t.id)),
         );
+        // Start periodic tasks.
+        self.reactor.wakeup(IDLE_INTERVAL);
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/radicle-node/src/test/peer.rs b/radicle-node/src/test/peer.rs
index 6adf9208..a69c9915 100644
--- a/radicle-node/src/test/peer.rs
+++ b/radicle-node/src/test/peer.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ use crate::storage::git::transport::remote;
 use crate::storage::Inventory;
 use crate::storage::{RemoteId, WriteStorage};
 use crate::test::arbitrary;
-use crate::test::assert_matches;
 use crate::test::simulator;
 use crate::test::storage::MockStorage;
 use crate::Link;
@@ -281,7 +280,9 @@ where
         self.service
             .command(Command::Connect(remote_id, remote_addr.clone()));
 
-        assert_matches!(self.outbox().next(), Some(Io::Connect { .. }));
+        self.outbox()
+            .find(|o| matches!(o, Io::Connect { .. }))
+            .unwrap();
 
         self.service.attempted(remote_id, &remote_addr);
         self.service.connected(remote_id, Link::Outbound);
diff --git a/radicle-node/src/tests.rs b/radicle-node/src/tests.rs
index b00da545..1da9b6c8 100644
--- a/radicle-node/src/tests.rs
+++ b/radicle-node/src/tests.rs
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ fn test_persistent_peer_connect() {
     let mut outbox = alice.outbox();
     assert_matches!(outbox.next(), Some(Io::Connect(a, _)) if a == bob.id());
     assert_matches!(outbox.next(), Some(Io::Connect(a, _)) if a == eve.id());
-    assert_matches!(outbox.next(), None);
+    assert_matches!(outbox.find(|o| matches!(o, Io::Connect { .. })), None);
 }
 
 #[test]