diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
index 96654c96..9a3a5e94 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/batches_integration_test.go
@@ -554,7 +554,11 @@ func TestAWalkLetGoBesideAStartedOneStartsOnceItEnded(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("a deferred walk is watched as a tier running late: %+v", f)
 		}
 	}
-	done := started[0]
+	// Read again: the steps since wrote the started walk (what its key waits for), so the copy read at its cut is stale.
+	done, err := open.inventory.PlanByID(ctx, started[0].ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
 	done.State = inventory.PlanDone
 	if err := open.inventory.SavePlan(ctx, &done); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)