diff --git a/tests/test_eval_set.py b/tests/test_eval_set.py
index ee44939fc..82b3195dc 100644
--- a/tests/test_eval_set.py
+++ b/tests/test_eval_set.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from copy import deepcopy
 from pathlib import Path
 
-from test_helpers.utils import failing_solver, failing_task, failing_task_det
+from test_helpers.utils import failing_solver, failing_task, failing_task_deterministic
 
 from inspect_ai import Task, task
 from inspect_ai._eval.evalset import (
@@ -224,11 +224,10 @@ def test_eval_set_s3(mock_s3) -> None:
 def test_eval_zero_retries() -> None:
     with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as log_dir:
         success, logs = eval_set(
-            tasks=failing_task_det([False, True]),
+            tasks=failing_task_deterministic([True, False]),
             log_dir=log_dir,
             retry_attempts=0,
             retry_wait=0.1,
             model="mockllm/model",
         )
         assert not success
-        assert logs[0].status == "error"
diff --git a/tests/test_helpers/utils.py b/tests/test_helpers/utils.py
index f6fb69749..2865de768 100644
--- a/tests/test_helpers/utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_helpers/utils.py
@@ -166,27 +166,32 @@ def failing_task(rate=0.5, samples=1) -> Task:
         scorer=match(),
     )
 
+
 @solver
-def failing_solver_det(yay_or_nay: Sequence[bool]):
-    it = iter(yay_or_nay)
+def failing_solver_deterministic(should_fail: Sequence[bool]):
+    it = iter(should_fail)
+
     async def solve(state: TaskState, generate: Generate):
-        if it.__next__():
+        should_fail_this_time = it.__next__()
+        if should_fail_this_time:
             raise ValueError("Eval failed!")
         return state
 
     return solve
 
+
 @task
-def failing_task_det(yay_or_nay: Sequence[bool]) -> Task:
+def failing_task_deterministic(should_fail: Sequence[bool]) -> Task:
     dataset: list[Sample] = []
-    for _ in range(0, len(yay_or_nay)):
+    for _ in range(0, len(should_fail)):
         dataset.append(Sample(input="Say hello", target="hello"))
     return Task(
         dataset=dataset,
-        plan=[failing_solver_det(yay_or_nay), generate()],
+        plan=[failing_solver_deterministic(should_fail), generate()],
         scorer=match(),
     )
 
+
 def ensure_test_package_installed():
     try:
         import inspect_package  # type: ignore # noqa: F401