diff --git a/scripts/ci_cd_test_load.sh b/scripts/ci_cd_test_load.sh
index f24d52c..3719ec0 100755
--- a/scripts/ci_cd_test_load.sh
+++ b/scripts/ci_cd_test_load.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ set -e
 # requires running the prepare_tests.sh script first
 
 echo "Starting local replica..."
-dfx start --clean --background
+dfx start --clean > /dev/null 2>&1 &
 
 echo "Starting gateway in the background..."
 cargo run --release > /dev/null 2>&1 &