diff --git a/internal/broker/system_exports_live_test.go b/internal/broker/system_exports_live_test.go
index 2b53441e..194dd68e 100644
--- a/internal/broker/system_exports_live_test.go
+++ b/internal/broker/system_exports_live_test.go
@@ -104,15 +104,23 @@ func TestNatsTheSystemAccountsExportsReachMeshOnAReload(t *testing.T) { // 1147/
 	}
 	// Another user connects and disconnects: the watchman hears both, and the events name that user.
 	gitea, _ := connect("one.gitea")
+	// The server says each connection's own events too, the watchman's among them, and may say its connect after the
+	// subscription is made (issue 1169): the event looked for is the one naming the other user, whatever comes before it.
 	hears := func(ch chan *nats.Msg, what string) {
 		t.Helper()
-		select {
-		case m := <-ch:
-			if !strings.Contains(string(m.Data), "one.gitea") {
-				t.Errorf("the %s event does not name the user that connected: %s", what, m.Data)
+		bound := time.After(5 * time.Second)
+		var others []string
+		for {
+			select {
+			case m := <-ch:
+				if strings.Contains(string(m.Data), "one.gitea") {
+					return
+				}
+				others = append(others, string(m.Data))
+			case <-bound:
+				t.Errorf("the watchman did not hear another user's %s; it heard only %q", what, others)
+				return
 			}
-		case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
-			t.Errorf("the watchman did not hear another user's %s", what)
 		}
 	}
 	hears(connects, "connect")