diff --git a/pytest/tests/mocknet/helpers/neard_runner.py b/pytest/tests/mocknet/helpers/neard_runner.py
index 7042c1dd8bb..f3c06fb0ab2 100644
--- a/pytest/tests/mocknet/helpers/neard_runner.py
+++ b/pytest/tests/mocknet/helpers/neard_runner.py
@@ -850,8 +850,12 @@ def start_neard(self, batch_interval_millis=None):
                     self.source_near_home_path(),
                     '--target-home',
                     self.target_near_home_path(),
-                    '--no-secret',
                 ]
+                if os.path.exists(self.setup_path('mirror-secret.json')):
+                    cmd.append('--secret-file')
+                    cmd.append(self.setup_path('mirror-secret.json'))
+                else:
+                    cmd.append('--no-secret')
                 if batch_interval_millis is not None:
                     with open(self.target_near_home_path('mirror-config.json'),
                               'w') as f: