diff --git a/tests/test_topic_routing.py b/tests/test_topic_routing.py
index 3bf325d..d38c8fb 100644
--- a/tests/test_topic_routing.py
+++ b/tests/test_topic_routing.py
@@ -333,7 +333,8 @@ def chat(prompt: str, request: dict[str, Any], schema: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[s
         quick: None,
     }
     with store.connection() as conn:
-        backlog = load_curation_backlog(conn, home=HOME, now=NOW)
+        # Routing stamps the real time, so the backlog must use the real clock too.
+        backlog = load_curation_backlog(conn, home=HOME, now=datetime.now(timezone.utc))
     assert {item["living_page"] for item in backlog} == {
         "topics/unity-gateway",
         "topics/agent-atlas",