diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e378857f7b..676079de72 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -444,7 +444,9 @@ cover: ## Runs the golang coverage tool. You must run the unit tests first.
 	$(GO) tool cover -html=cover.out
 	$(GO) tool cover -html=ecover.out
 
-test-data: run-server ## Add test data to the local instance.
+test-data: run-server inject-test-data ## start a local instance and add test data to it.
+
+inject-test-data: # add test data to the local instance.
 	@if ! ./scripts/wait-for-system-start.sh; then \
 		make stop; \
 	fi