diff --git a/ingestion/internal/search/brainroot_test.go b/ingestion/internal/search/brainroot_test.go
index f9253e5..a94a4a9 100644
--- a/ingestion/internal/search/brainroot_test.go
+++ b/ingestion/internal/search/brainroot_test.go
@@ -205,7 +205,9 @@ func TestQueryDoesNotReturnAnInBrainSymlinkTargetDuringASampledSwapRace(t *testi
 	brain, facts, _ := searchBrain(t)
 	target := inBrainTarget(t, brain)
 	read := func() string {
-		rs, _ := Query(brain, QueryOptions{Query: brainfstest.Sentinel, Limit: 10})
+		// Both terms, so the regular note is a possible hit: a reader that
+		// never returns the inside note would pass vacuously (#177 floor).
+		rs, _ := Query(brain, QueryOptions{Query: brainfstest.Sentinel + " zqinside", Limit: 10})
 		s := ""
 		for _, r := range rs {
 			s += r.Title + r.Excerpt