diff --git a/modules/nats/cmd/nats-tools/server_test.go b/modules/nats/cmd/nats-tools/server_test.go
index e9a2d07c..57ab02ee 100644
--- a/modules/nats/cmd/nats-tools/server_test.go
+++ b/modules/nats/cmd/nats-tools/server_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"regexp"
-	"runtime/debug"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -28,19 +27,11 @@ func TestTheImageIsTheServerTestedHere(t *testing.T) {
 	if said == nil {
 		t.Fatal("the Dockerfile does not say which nats release its digest is (`# upstream: nats X.Y.Z-alpine`)")
 	}
-	info, ok := debug.ReadBuildInfo()
-	if !ok {
-		t.Fatal("no build information to read the tested server's version from")
+	// The server's own word for its release, compiled into it: a test binary's build information may list
+	// no dependencies (the build seat's did not, so this read "these tests run no nats-server").
+	if server.VERSION != string(said[1]) {
+		t.Fatalf("the image runs nats %s and these tests run %s: move them together", said[1], server.VERSION)
 	}
-	for _, dep := range info.Deps {
-		if dep.Path == "github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2" {
-			if dep.Version != "v"+string(said[1]) {
-				t.Fatalf("the image runs nats %s and these tests run %s: move them together", said[1], dep.Version)
-			}
-			return
-		}
-	}
-	t.Fatal("these tests run no nats-server")
 }
 
 // **A consumer with several filters is handed every message** (novox/hq issue 266).