diff --git a/t/plugin_tests/dnsbl b/t/plugin_tests/dnsbl
index 517c220..28bd775 100644
--- a/t/plugin_tests/dnsbl
+++ b/t/plugin_tests/dnsbl
@@ -48,8 +48,12 @@ sub test_is_set_rblsmtpd {
 sub test_hook_connect {
     my $self = shift;
 
+    # reset values that other tests may have fiddled with
     my $conn = $self->qp->connection;
     $conn->relay_client(0);        # other tests may leave it enabled
+    $conn->notes('whitelisthost', '' );
+    $conn->notes('whitelistsender', '');
+    $conn->notes('naughty', '');
     $conn->remote_ip('127.0.0.2'); # standard dnsbl test value
 
     my ($rc, $mess) = $self->hook_connect($self->qp->transaction);