diff --git a/tests/topotests/conftest.py b/tests/topotests/conftest.py
index 49e48ba927..76b0ab017e 100755
--- a/tests/topotests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/topotests/conftest.py
@@ -74,3 +74,9 @@ def pytest_runtest_makereport(item, call):
     parent._previousfailed = item
     logger.error('assert failed at "{}/{}": {}'.format(
         modname, item.name, call.excinfo.value))
+
+    # (topogen) Set topology error to avoid advancing in the test.
+    tgen = get_topogen()
+    if tgen is not None:
+        # This will cause topogen to report error on `routers_have_failure`.
+        tgen.set_error('{}/{}'.format(modname, item.name))