diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_runtime_provider_resolution.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_runtime_provider_resolution.py
index 198fd0488bda..70760224887e 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_runtime_provider_resolution.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_runtime_provider_resolution.py
@@ -303,6 +303,14 @@ def test_resolve_runtime_provider_codex(monkeypatch):
 
 def test_resolve_runtime_provider_qwen_oauth(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(rp, "resolve_provider", lambda *a, **k: "qwen-oauth")
+    # This test exercises the singleton Qwen credential resolver, not the
+    # higher-priority credential pool.  Keep it independent of any real
+    # ~/.qwen credentials present under the HOME preserved by the test runner.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        rp,
+        "load_pool",
+        lambda _provider: SimpleNamespace(has_credentials=lambda: False),
+    )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         rp,
         "resolve_qwen_runtime_credentials",
@@ -363,6 +371,14 @@ def test_qwen_oauth_auto_fallthrough_on_auth_failure(monkeypatch):
     from hermes_cli.auth import AuthError
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(rp, "resolve_provider", lambda *a, **k: "qwen-oauth")
+    # A real Qwen pool entry would correctly win before the singleton resolver
+    # and prevent this auth-failure branch from running.  Force the empty-pool
+    # precondition that this test is specifically asserting.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        rp,
+        "load_pool",
+        lambda _provider: SimpleNamespace(has_credentials=lambda: False),
+    )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         rp,
         "resolve_qwen_runtime_credentials",