diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_test.go
index 26bf3f63..b3b63de2 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_test.go
@@ -381,9 +381,10 @@ func TestAFailedWalkWalksItsEarlierMergesAlone(t *testing.T) {
 	open := windowed(t)
 	asked := asksWithPaths(t)
 	ctx := t.Context()
-	oldest := catalogueMerge("aaaa0001", "app", t0)
-	middle := catalogueMerge("bbbb0002", "app", t0.Add(10*time.Second))
-	newest := catalogueMerge("cccc0003", "notes", t0.Add(20*time.Second))
+	// Made before the cut marks their modules seen, as merges are: walked again, they are news all the same.
+	oldest := catalogueMerge("aaaa0001", "app", t0.Add(-3*time.Minute))
+	middle := catalogueMerge("bbbb0002", "app", t0.Add(-3*time.Minute+10*time.Second))
+	newest := catalogueMerge("cccc0003", "notes", t0.Add(-3*time.Minute+20*time.Second))
 	for i, m := range []link.SourceMoved{oldest, middle, newest} {
 		hear(t, open, m, t0.Add(time.Duration(i)*10*time.Second+time.Second))
 	}