diff --git a/tests/builtin/persistence/test_sqlite_profile.py b/tests/builtin/persistence/test_sqlite_profile.py
index 43992f3fc7..5f41e667dc 100644
--- a/tests/builtin/persistence/test_sqlite_profile.py
+++ b/tests/builtin/persistence/test_sqlite_profile.py
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ async def scenario() -> None:
                 opened = SQLiteProfile.open_readonly(config) if read_only else SQLiteProfile.open(config, tables=())
                 async with opened:
                     pytest.fail("Unavailable storage must not be opened")
+            assert stopping, "failed open did not expose a worker shutdown waiter"
             assert all(future.done() for future in stopping), "open returned before its worker finished stopping"
         finally:
             release.set()