diff --git a/testsuite/yamatests/test_compact.py b/testsuite/yamatests/test_compact.py
index 804c685..2703541 100644
--- a/testsuite/yamatests/test_compact.py
+++ b/testsuite/yamatests/test_compact.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class TestYamaCompact(TestCase):
         seed = rng.randint(0, 9001)
         print(f"seed: {seed}")
         rng.seed(seed)
-        later_expected_descriptor, _ = generate_random_dir(rng, src_path, 32)
+        initial_descriptor, _ = generate_random_dir(rng, src_path, 32)
 
         subprocess.check_call(("datman", "backup-one", "srca", "main"), cwd=datman_path)
         orig_pointer_name = (
@@ -86,9 +86,8 @@ class TestYamaCompact(TestCase):
             .split("\n")[0]
         )
 
-        randomly_mutate_directory_in_descriptor(
-            later_expected_descriptor, src_path, rng
-        )
+        randomly_mutate_directory_in_descriptor(initial_descriptor, src_path, rng)
+        mutated_descriptor = scan_dir(src_path)
 
         subprocess.check_call(("datman", "backup-one", "srca", "main"), cwd=datman_path)
 
@@ -171,8 +170,6 @@ class TestYamaCompact(TestCase):
         key, value = next(iter(value.contents.items()))
         self.assertEqual(key, "srca")
 
-        self.assertEqual(
-            value.ignore_metadata(), later_expected_descriptor.ignore_metadata()
-        )
+        self.assertEqual(value.ignore_metadata(), mutated_descriptor.ignore_metadata())
 
         td.cleanup()