diff --git a/src/ape/pytest/plugin.py b/src/ape/pytest/plugin.py
index 85d5febd5d..7cfe0c106f 100644
--- a/src/ape/pytest/plugin.py
+++ b/src/ape/pytest/plugin.py
@@ -16,15 +16,6 @@ def _get_default_network(ecosystem: Optional[EcosystemAPI] = None) -> str:
     if ecosystem is None:
         ecosystem = ManagerAccessMixin.network_manager.default_ecosystem
 
-    if ecosystem.default_network.is_mainnet:
-        # Don't use mainnet for tests, even if it configured as
-        # the default.
-        raise ConfigError(
-            "Default network is mainnet; unable to run tests on mainnet. "
-            "Please specify the network using the `--network` flag or "
-            "configure a different default network."
-        )
-
     return ecosystem.name
 
 
diff --git a/src/ape/pytest/runners.py b/src/ape/pytest/runners.py
index 0445e8f446..98a708e99b 100644
--- a/src/ape/pytest/runners.py
+++ b/src/ape/pytest/runners.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from rich import print as rich_print
 
 from ape.api.networks import ProviderContextManager
+from ape.exceptions import ConfigError
 from ape.logging import LogLevel
 from ape.pytest.config import ConfigWrapper
 from ape.pytest.coverage import CoverageTracker
@@ -206,8 +207,24 @@ def pytest_collection_finish(self, session):
 
         # Only start provider if collected tests.
         if not outcome.get_result() and session.items:
-            self._provider_context.push_provider()
-            self._provider_is_connected = True
+            self._connect()
+
+    def _connect(self):
+        if self._provider_context._provider.network.is_mainnet:
+            # Ensure is not only running on tests on mainnet because
+            # was configured as the default.
+            is_from_command_line = (
+                "--network" in self.config_wrapper.pytest_config.invocation_params.args
+            )
+            if not is_from_command_line:
+                raise ConfigError(
+                    "Default network is mainnet; unable to run tests on mainnet. "
+                    "Please specify the network using the `--network` flag or "
+                    "configure a different default network."
+                )
+
+        self._provider_context.push_provider()
+        self._provider_is_connected = True
 
     def pytest_terminal_summary(self, terminalreporter):
         """
diff --git a/tests/functional/test_test.py b/tests/functional/test_test.py
index 9666170c56..56ee09c88a 100644
--- a/tests/functional/test_test.py
+++ b/tests/functional/test_test.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from ape.exceptions import ConfigError
-from ape.pytest.plugin import _get_default_network
+from ape.pytest.runners import PytestApeRunner
 from ape_test import ApeTestConfig
 
 
@@ -15,17 +15,21 @@ def test_balance_set_from_currency_str(self):
         assert actual == expected
 
 
-def test_get_default_network(mocker):
-    # NOTE: Using this weird test to avoid actually
-    #  using mainnet in any test, even accidentally.
-    mock_ecosystem = mocker.MagicMock()
-    mock_mainnet = mocker.MagicMock()
-    mock_mainnet.name = "mainnet"
-    mock_ecosystem.default_network = mock_mainnet
+def test_connect_to_mainnet_by_default(mocker):
+    """
+    Tests the condition where mainnet is configured as the default network
+    and no --network option is passed. It should avoid running the tests
+    to be safe.
+    """
+
+    cfg = mocker.MagicMock()
+    cfg.network = "ethereum:mainnet:node"
+    runner = PytestApeRunner(cfg, mocker.MagicMock(), mocker.MagicMock(), mocker.MagicMock())
+
     expected = (
         "Default network is mainnet; unable to run tests on mainnet. "
         "Please specify the network using the `--network` flag or "
         "configure a different default network."
     )
     with pytest.raises(ConfigError, match=expected):
-        _get_default_network(mock_mainnet)
+        runner._connect()