diff --git a/tests/queries/test_explain.py b/tests/queries/test_explain.py
index 26baf6fb30..ad4ca988ee 100644
--- a/tests/queries/test_explain.py
+++ b/tests/queries/test_explain.py
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ class ExplainTests(TestCase):
 
     @unittest.skipUnless(connection.vendor == 'mysql', 'MySQL specific')
     def test_mysql_text_to_traditional(self):
+        # Initialize the cached property, if needed, to prevent a query for
+        # the MySQL version during the QuerySet evaluation.
+        connection.features.needs_explain_extended
         with CaptureQueriesContext(connection) as captured_queries:
             Tag.objects.filter(name='test').explain(format='text')
         self.assertEqual(len(captured_queries), 1)