diff --git a/azext_iot/tests/test_iot_central_int.py b/azext_iot/tests/test_iot_central_int.py
index 6f17cd28f..335af0eee 100644
--- a/azext_iot/tests/test_iot_central_int.py
+++ b/azext_iot/tests/test_iot_central_int.py
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ def test_central_monitor_events_deprecated(self):
 
         device_client = helpers.dps_connect_device(device_id, credentials)
 
+        enqueued_time = utility.calculate_millisec_since_unix_epoch_utc() - 10000
+
         payload = {"Bool": True}
         msg = Message(
             data=json.dumps(payload),
@@ -111,8 +113,6 @@ def test_central_monitor_events_deprecated(self):
         )
         device_client.send_message(msg)
 
-        enqueued_time = utility.calculate_millisec_since_unix_epoch_utc() - 10000
-
         # Test with invalid app-id
         self.cmd(
             "iot central app monitor-events --app-id {} -y".format(APP_ID + "zzz"),
@@ -134,6 +134,8 @@ def test_central_monitor_events(self):
 
         device_client = helpers.dps_connect_device(device_id, credentials)
 
+        enqueued_time = utility.calculate_millisec_since_unix_epoch_utc() - 10000
+
         payload = {"Bool": True}
         msg = Message(
             data=json.dumps(payload),
@@ -142,8 +144,6 @@ def test_central_monitor_events(self):
         )
         device_client.send_message(msg)
 
-        enqueued_time = utility.calculate_millisec_since_unix_epoch_utc() - 10000
-
         # Test with invalid app-id
         self.cmd(
             "iot central diagnostics monitor-events --app-id {} -y".format(