diff --git a/src/ook/factory.py b/src/ook/factory.py
index b08c292..38e78c6 100644
--- a/src/ook/factory.py
+++ b/src/ook/factory.py
@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ async def create_standalone(
         """
         factory = await cls.create(logger=logger, kafka_broker=kafka_broker)
         async with aclosing(factory):
+            # Manually connect the broker after the publishers are created
+            # so that the producer can be added to each publisher.
+            await factory._process_context.kafka_broker.connect()  # noqa: SLF001
             yield factory
 
     async def aclose(self) -> None: