diff --git a/tests/integration/test_multiple_disks/test.py b/tests/integration/test_multiple_disks/test.py
index 1a50e12a3f6..bb90ce4519d 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_multiple_disks/test.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_multiple_disks/test.py
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ def test_background_move(start_cluster, name, engine):
             SETTINGS storage_policy='moving_jbod_with_external'
         """.format(name=name, engine=engine))
 
-        node1.query(f"SYSTEM START MERGES {name}")
+        node1.query(f"SYSTEM STOP MERGES {name}")
 
         for i in range(5):
             data = []  # 5MB in total