diff --git a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
index 692743115c..a1a42770cf 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
@@ -357,6 +357,27 @@ def mlogger(system_test_name):
     return logging.getLogger(system_test_name)
 
 
+def _get_marker(node, marker):
+    try:
+        # pytest >= 4.x
+        return node.get_closest_marker(marker)
+    except AttributeError:
+        # pytest < 4.x
+        return node.get_marker(marker)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def wait_for_zones_loaded(request, servers):
+    """Wait for all zones to be loaded by specified named instances."""
+    instances = _get_marker(request.node, "requires_zones_loaded")
+    if not instances:
+        return
+
+    for instance in instances.args:
+        with servers[instance].watch_log_from_start() as watcher:
+            watcher.wait_for_line("all zones loaded")
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def logger(request, system_test_name):
     """Logging facility specific to a particular test."""
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/pytest.ini b/bin/tests/system/pytest.ini
index 1559595852..a8733cefb6 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/pytest.ini
+++ b/bin/tests/system/pytest.ini
@@ -18,3 +18,5 @@ log_level = INFO
 python_files = tests_*.py
 junit_logging = log
 junit_log_passing_tests = 0
+markers =
+    requires_zones_loaded: ensures the test does not start until the specified named instances load all configured zones