diff --git a/packages/zoe/test/swingsetTests/runMint/vat-alice.js b/packages/zoe/test/swingsetTests/runMint/vat-alice.js
index e3b778f35bed..9fdc73127bf0 100644
--- a/packages/zoe/test/swingsetTests/runMint/vat-alice.js
+++ b/packages/zoe/test/swingsetTests/runMint/vat-alice.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const build = async (log, zoe, installations, feeMintAccess) => {
       const { instance } = await E(zoe).startInstance(
         installations.offerArgsUsageContract,
         harden({
-          RUN: E(zoe).getFeeIssuer(),
+          RUN: await E(zoe).getFeeIssuer(),
         }),
         undefined,
       );
diff --git a/packages/zoe/test/unitTests/test-zoe-startInstance.js b/packages/zoe/test/unitTests/test-zoe-startInstance.js
index 318e237e48cb..fb13072e98c4 100644
--- a/packages/zoe/test/unitTests/test-zoe-startInstance.js
+++ b/packages/zoe/test/unitTests/test-zoe-startInstance.js
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ test('terms, issuerKeywordRecord switched', async t => {
     () =>
       E(zoe).startInstance(
         installation,
+        // @ts-expect-error intentional error
         { something: 2 },
         { Moola: moolaKit.issuer },
       ),
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@ test('bad issuer, makeEmptyPurse throws', async t => {
     getBrand: () => brand,
   });
   await t.throwsAsync(
+    // @ts-expect-error intentional error
     () => E(zoe).startInstance(installation, { Money: badIssuer }),
     {
       message: