diff --git a/api/python/cellxgene_census/tests/experimental/pp/test_hvg.py b/api/python/cellxgene_census/tests/experimental/pp/test_hvg.py
index 4bdeeb8f1..9e13df90a 100644
--- a/api/python/cellxgene_census/tests/experimental/pp/test_hvg.py
+++ b/api/python/cellxgene_census/tests/experimental/pp/test_hvg.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ def test_get_highly_variable_genes(
     small_mem_context: soma.SOMATileDBContext,
     obs_coords: slice | None,
 ) -> None:
-    with cellxgene_census.open_soma(census_version="stable", context=small_mem_context) as census:
+    with cellxgene_census.open_soma(census_version="2023-12-15", context=small_mem_context) as census:
         hvg = get_highly_variable_genes(
             census,
             organism=organism,