diff --git a/cmd/scratchbox/main_test.go b/cmd/scratchbox/main_test.go
index 5c3bc95..227d6af 100644
--- a/cmd/scratchbox/main_test.go
+++ b/cmd/scratchbox/main_test.go
@@ -233,7 +233,8 @@ func TestMainHelperProcess(t *testing.T) {
 		main()
 		os.Exit(0)
 	case "bad-config":
-		os.Args = []string{"scratchbox", "server", "--config", "/no/such/config.yaml"}
+		// Use a directory path so config init fails deterministically.
+		os.Args = []string{"scratchbox", "server", "--config", "/"}
 		main()
 		os.Exit(0)
 	case "missing-config-autogen":