diff --git a/pulsar-client-cpp/pulsar-test-service-start.sh b/pulsar-client-cpp/pulsar-test-service-start.sh
index 63915cfc31101..da0d50d0c4ad6 100755
--- a/pulsar-client-cpp/pulsar-test-service-start.sh
+++ b/pulsar-client-cpp/pulsar-test-service-start.sh
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ $PULSAR_DIR/bin/pulsar-admin clusters list | grep -q '^standalone$' ||
 $PULSAR_DIR/bin/pulsar-admin tenants update public -r "anonymous" -c "standalone"
 
 # Update "public/default" with no auth required
+$PULSAR_DIR/bin/pulsar-admin namespaces create public/default
 $PULSAR_DIR/bin/pulsar-admin namespaces grant-permission public/default \
                         --actions produce,consume \
                         --role "anonymous"