diff --git a/test/lib/cql_test_env.cc b/test/lib/cql_test_env.cc
index c8f93be45f..d82f9b1172 100644
--- a/test/lib/cql_test_env.cc
+++ b/test/lib/cql_test_env.cc
@@ -402,6 +402,10 @@ public:
         return _sys_ks;
     }
 
+    virtual sharded<db::system_distributed_keyspace>& get_system_distributed_keyspace() override {
+        return _sys_dist_ks;
+    }
+
     virtual sharded<service::tablet_allocator>& get_tablet_allocator() override {
         return _tablet_allocator;
     }
diff --git a/test/lib/cql_test_env.hh b/test/lib/cql_test_env.hh
index a31355f9fe..cf6791b63a 100644
--- a/test/lib/cql_test_env.hh
+++ b/test/lib/cql_test_env.hh
@@ -189,6 +189,8 @@ public:
 
     virtual sharded<db::system_keyspace>& get_system_keyspace() = 0;
 
+    virtual sharded<db::system_distributed_keyspace>& get_system_distributed_keyspace() = 0;
+
     virtual sharded<service::tablet_allocator>& get_tablet_allocator() = 0;
 
     virtual sharded<service::storage_proxy>& get_storage_proxy() = 0;