diff --git a/tests/agent/test_redact.py b/tests/agent/test_redact.py
index 27098ee6d..6b7cfa586 100644
--- a/tests/agent/test_redact.py
+++ b/tests/agent/test_redact.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ from agent.redact import redact_sensitive_text, RedactingFormatter
 def _ensure_redaction_enabled(monkeypatch):
     """Ensure HERMES_REDACT_SECRETS is not disabled by prior test imports."""
     monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_REDACT_SECRETS", raising=False)
+    # Also patch the module-level snapshot so it reflects the cleared env var
+    monkeypatch.setattr("agent.redact._REDACT_ENABLED", True)
 
 
 class TestKnownPrefixes: