--- a/python/test/unit/nls/test_PETScSNES_solver.py
+++ b/python/test/unit/nls/test_PETScSNES_solver.py
@@ -268,5 +268,12 @@
 @skip_if_not_PETSc
 def test_snes_set_from_options():
     solver = PETScSNESSolver()
+    # The default constructor of PETScSNESSolver initializes an empty jacobian matrix, as well as its preconditioner
+    # (when running in serial). Instead, PETSc >= 3.19 requires them to be non empty upon setting from options.
+    # We thus fetch them and set a mock size. Note that this will not be a problem in practice for users because
+    # PETScSNESSolver::init does allocate the matrix before setting from options.
+    (A, J, _) = solver.snes().getJacobian()
+    A.setSizes(1, 1)
+    J.setSizes(1, 1)
     PETScOptions.set("snes_atol", 1e-12)
     solver.set_from_options()