diff --git a/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es7.py b/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es7.py
index 0d66ae96a..455861332 100644
--- a/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es7.py
+++ b/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es7.py
@@ -125,10 +125,12 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
                            memory issues, decrease the batch_size.
 
         """
+        # Ensure all the required inputs were successful
         es_import.check()
-
-        # Base constructor might need the client to be ready, create it first
-        client = self._init_elastic_client(
+        # Let the base class trap the right exception from the specific client
+        self._RequestError = RequestError
+        # Initiate the Elasticsearch client for version 7.x
+        client = ElasticsearchDocumentStore._init_elastic_client(
             host=host,
             port=port,
             username=username,
@@ -168,9 +170,6 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
             batch_size=batch_size,
         )
 
-        # Let the base class trap the right exception from the elasticpy client
-        self._RequestError = RequestError
-
     def _do_bulk(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Override the base class method to use the Elasticsearch client"""
         return bulk(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -179,9 +178,8 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
         """Override the base class method to use the Elasticsearch client"""
         return scan(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    @classmethod
+    @staticmethod
     def _init_elastic_client(
-        cls,
         host: Union[str, List[str]],
         port: Union[int, List[int]],
         username: str,
diff --git a/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es8.py b/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es8.py
index 5852da393..438fb9346 100644
--- a/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es8.py
+++ b/haystack/document_stores/elasticsearch/es8.py
@@ -141,10 +141,12 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
                            memory issues, decrease the batch_size.
 
         """
+        # Ensure all the required inputs were successful
         es_import.check()
-
-        # Base constructor might need the client to be ready, create it first
-        client = self._init_elastic_client(
+        # Let the base class trap the right exception from the specific client
+        self._RequestError = RequestError
+        # Initiate the Elasticsearch client for version 8.x
+        client = ElasticsearchDocumentStore._init_elastic_client(
             host=host,
             port=port,
             username=username,
@@ -183,9 +185,6 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
             batch_size=batch_size,
         )
 
-        # Let the base class trap the right exception from the elasticpy client
-        self._RequestError = RequestError
-
     def _do_bulk(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Override the base class method to use the Elasticsearch client"""
         return bulk(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -194,9 +193,8 @@ class ElasticsearchDocumentStore(_ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
         """Override the base class method to use the Elasticsearch client"""
         return scan(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    @classmethod
+    @staticmethod
     def _init_elastic_client(
-        cls,
         host: Union[str, List[str]],
         port: Union[int, List[int]],
         username: str,
diff --git a/test/document_stores/test_elasticsearch.py b/test/document_stores/test_elasticsearch.py
index edf9a310c..9a0628cec 100644
--- a/test/document_stores/test_elasticsearch.py
+++ b/test/document_stores/test_elasticsearch.py
@@ -56,13 +56,14 @@ class TestElasticsearchDocumentStore(DocumentStoreBaseTestAbstract, SearchEngine
         ElasticsearchDocumentStore equipped with a mocked client
         """
 
-        class DSMock(ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
-            # We mock a subclass to avoid messing up the actual class object
-            pass
+        with patch(f"{ElasticsearchDocumentStore.__module__}.ElasticsearchDocumentStore._init_elastic_client"):
 
-        DSMock._init_elastic_client = MagicMock()
-        DSMock.client = MagicMock()
-        return DSMock()
+            class DSMock(ElasticsearchDocumentStore):
+                # We mock a subclass to avoid messing up the actual class object
+                pass
+
+            DSMock.client = MagicMock()
+            yield DSMock()
 
     @pytest.mark.integration
     def test___init__(self):