diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
index d7afe0af..c7cf0841 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func cutAt(t *testing.T, open *stores, now time.Time) {
 func TestTwoMergesSecondsApartAreOneWalkAtTheLaterCommit(t *testing.T) {
 	open := windowed(t)
 	everyHeadWaits(t)
-	asked := asksWithPaths(t)
+	asksWithPaths(t)
 	claude := catalogueMerge("553b7191claude", "app", t0)
 	dunst := catalogueMerge("48bda475dunst", "notes", t0.Add(17*time.Second))
 	hear(t, open, claude, t0.Add(time.Second))
@@ -96,8 +96,12 @@ func TestTwoMergesSecondsApartAreOneWalkAtTheLaterCommit(t *testing.T) {
 	if w.Delivery == nil || !slices.EqualFunc(w.Delivery.Merges, want, sameMerge) {
 		t.Fatalf("the walk answers %+v, want %+v", w.Delivery, want)
 	}
-	if len(*asked) != 2 || (*asked)[0][2] != "main" || (*asked)[1][2] != "main" {
-		t.Fatalf("the walk did not ask its modules at the branch, which holds the commit it carries: %v", *asked)
+	// The cut takes its first tier from the builder's keys (a look takes them in later; none runs here), and says at
+	// which commit: the one the branch holds, which is the later merge the walk carries.
+	for _, m := range w.Tiers[w.Tier] {
+		if s := w.Modules[m]; s == nil || !s.Key || s.State != "asked" || s.KeyAt != dunst.Commit {
+			t.Fatalf("the walk did not take %s from its key at the commit it carries (%s): %+v", m, dunst.Commit, s)
+		}
 	}
 	// Heard again, as the bus may hand it over twice: never a second merge, nor a second walk.
 	hear(t, open, claude, t0.Add(5*time.Minute))