diff --git a/tests/voice.test.cjs b/tests/voice.test.cjs
index 412e6b7..3b78024 100644
--- a/tests/voice.test.cjs
+++ b/tests/voice.test.cjs
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ test('TTS and microphone are mutually exclusive', () => {
 
 test('speech is disabled in screen-reader mode and gracefully degrades without synthesis', () => {
   const screenReader = makeHarness();
+  screenReader.controller.update({mode: 'screen-reader'});
   assert.equal(screenReader.controller.speak('dialog'), false);
   const noTts = makeHarness({tts: false});
   noTts.controller.update({mode: 'game-voice'});