diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/realtime_conversation.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/realtime_conversation.rs
index 08c9545968..e4f5029ce0 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/realtime_conversation.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/realtime_conversation.rs
@@ -1273,6 +1273,16 @@ async fn realtime_timeline_splits_accepted_steering_and_persists_promoted_artifa
         .read_notification::<TurnStartedNotification>("turn/started")
         .await?;
 
+    // The initial user item also seals realtime transcript segments. Wait for
+    // it before speaking so only the steering under test can split this segment.
+    let initial_message = harness
+        .read_notification::<ItemCompletedNotification>("item/completed")
+        .await?;
+    assert!(matches!(
+        initial_message.item,
+        ThreadItem::UserMessage { .. }
+    ));
+
     harness
         .append_text(harness.thread_id.clone(), "Trigger speech")
         .await?;