diff --git a/tests/unit/test_health_routes.py b/tests/unit/test_health_routes.py
index c74cd2de6..beb6543a7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_health_routes.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_health_routes.py
@@ -180,5 +180,7 @@ class TestStartupCheck:
 
         result = await startup_check()
 
-        assert result["status"] == "starting"
         assert result.status_code == 503
+        import json
+        body = json.loads(result.body)
+        assert body["status"] == "starting"