diff --git a/apps/sdnip/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/sdnip/Router.java b/apps/sdnip/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/sdnip/Router.java
index dc29285..d610361 100644
--- a/apps/sdnip/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/sdnip/Router.java
+++ b/apps/sdnip/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/sdnip/Router.java
@@ -133,6 +133,10 @@
      */
     public void start() {
 
+        // TODO hack to enable SDN-IP now for testing
+        isElectedLeader = true;
+        isActivatedLeader = true;
+
         bgpUpdatesExecutor.execute(new Runnable() {
             @Override
             public void run() {