diff --git a/awx/main/tests/jobs/job_launch.py b/awx/main/tests/jobs/job_launch.py
index 32b0e62287..3fd5e8452b 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/jobs/job_launch.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/jobs/job_launch.py
@@ -189,5 +189,5 @@ class JobTemplateLaunchPasswordsTest(BaseJobTestMixin, django.test.TestCase):
     def test_explicit_cred_with_ask_password_empty_string_fail(self):
         with self.current_user(self.user_sue):
             response = self.post(self.launch_url, {'ssh_password': ''}, expect=400)
-            j = Job.objects.get(pk=response['job'])
-            self.assertEqual(j.status, 'new')
+            self.assertIn('ssh_password', response['passwords_needed_to_start'])
+