diff --git a/ibis/backends/tests/test_signatures.py b/ibis/backends/tests/test_signatures.py
index 3a1417daf727a..4761d2028ecfc 100644
--- a/ibis/backends/tests/test_signatures.py
+++ b/ibis/backends/tests/test_signatures.py
@@ -23,4 +23,5 @@ def test_signatures(base_cls, method, backend_cls):
     base_sig = inspect.signature(getattr(base_cls, method))
     backend_sig = inspect.signature(getattr(backend_cls, method))
 
-    assert compatible(base_sig, backend_sig, check_annotations=False)
+    # Usage is compatible(implementation_signature, defined_interface_signature, ...)
+    assert compatible(backend_sig, base_sig, check_annotations=False)