diff --git a/tests/topotests/lib/common_config.py b/tests/topotests/lib/common_config.py
index 4d46b72199..ff187b18c2 100644
--- a/tests/topotests/lib/common_config.py
+++ b/tests/topotests/lib/common_config.py
@@ -702,14 +702,16 @@ def start_topology(tgen, daemon=None):
     )
     TMPDIR = os.path.join(LOGDIR, tgen.modname)
 
+    linux_ver = ''
     router_list = tgen.routers()
     for rname in ROUTER_LIST:
         router = router_list[rname]
 
         # It will help in debugging the failures, will give more details on which
         # specific kernel version tests are failing
-        linux_ver = router.run("uname -a")
-        logger.info("Logging platform related details: \n %s \n", linux_ver)
+        if linux_ver == '':
+            linux_ver = router.run("uname -a")
+            logger.info("Logging platform related details: \n %s \n", linux_ver)
 
         try:
             os.chdir(TMPDIR)