diff --git a/extensions/memory-core/src/memory/qmd-manager.test.ts b/extensions/memory-core/src/memory/qmd-manager.test.ts
index 50049dbf626..75595182a3b 100644
--- a/extensions/memory-core/src/memory/qmd-manager.test.ts
+++ b/extensions/memory-core/src/memory/qmd-manager.test.ts
@@ -332,7 +332,12 @@ describe("QmdMemoryManager", () => {
     await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(500);
     await expect(searchPromise).resolves.toEqual([]);
 
-    releaseUpdate?.();
+    (
+      releaseUpdate ??
+      (() => {
+        throw new Error("expected qmd update process to start");
+      })
+    )();
     await manager.close();
   });