diff --git a/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets/tests/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets.Tests/Configuration/SecretsStorePathRulesTests.cs b/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets/tests/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets.Tests/Configuration/SecretsStorePathRulesTests.cs
index f203ad4..2a846c6 100644
--- a/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets/tests/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets.Tests/Configuration/SecretsStorePathRulesTests.cs
+++ b/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets/tests/ZB.MOM.WW.Secrets.Tests/Configuration/SecretsStorePathRulesTests.cs
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ public sealed class SecretsStorePathRulesTests
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public void Without_a_content_root_the_pre_host_container_still_cannot_be_told_it_is_fine()
+    public async Task Without_a_content_root_the_pre_host_container_still_cannot_be_told_it_is_fine()
     {
         // Positive control for the test above: the SAME path, with the content root NOT supplied,
         // is the pre-0.6.1 behaviour — the rule is skipped and nothing objects. This is what makes
@@ -315,7 +315,15 @@ public sealed class SecretsStorePathRulesTests
 
             // Absolute, so the rooted rule passes; the content-root rule cannot fire. Documented,
             // and the reason pre-host composition must pass the content root explicitly.
-            Assert.NotNull(provider.GetRequiredService<SecretsSqliteConnectionFactory>());
+            await provider.GetRequiredService<SqliteSecretsStoreMigrator>().MigrateAsync(default);
+
+            // Assert the database IS created here, not merely that nothing threw. This is what
+            // keeps the REJECTING test honest: "no file was created" is indistinguishable from
+            // "nothing in this container ever creates files" unless something proves the write
+            // path is live. An Assert.NotNull on a resolved factory proves neither — and if the
+            // pre-host container ever stopped touching the store, it would silently void the
+            // rejecting test while continuing to pass itself.
+            Assert.True(File.Exists(dbPath), "the accepted path must actually get a store file");
         }
         finally
         {