diff --git a/dashboard/backend/tests/unit/test_auth.py b/dashboard/backend/tests/unit/test_auth.py
index 1817eda..0dfac7b 100644
--- a/dashboard/backend/tests/unit/test_auth.py
+++ b/dashboard/backend/tests/unit/test_auth.py
@@ -278,6 +278,14 @@ class TestPasswordPersistence:
 
     def test_load_password_hash_from_env(self, mock_config, temp_auth_file):
         """Test loading password hash from environment variable."""
+        # Clear any hash in the file first
+        import json
+        with open(temp_auth_file, 'r') as f:
+            data = json.load(f)
+        data['password_hash'] = ""
+        with open(temp_auth_file, 'w') as f:
+            json.dump(data, f)
+
         # When no hash in file, should return env var
         loaded = load_password_hash()
         assert loaded == mock_config.ADMIN_PASSWORD_HASH