diff --git a/tests/textual/test_conversation_kind.py b/tests/textual/test_conversation_kind.py
index 5dddb59a9..d756fc474 100644
--- a/tests/textual/test_conversation_kind.py
+++ b/tests/textual/test_conversation_kind.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 
 import pytest
 
-from agent_comms.candidate_maintenance import drain_candidate_catchup
 from agent_comms.channel_targets import ChannelTarget, ThreadTarget
 from agent_comms.comms import Comms, wire
 from agent_comms.field_codec import FieldCodec
@@ -27,7 +26,6 @@ def copied_conversations(tmp_path):
     viewer = original.messaging.user_identity(str(tmp_path)).name
     original.messaging.send("peer", "#team", "channel body")
     original.messaging.send("peer", viewer, "direct body")
-    drain_candidate_catchup(original.root)
     StoreBackup.copy_tree(original.root, tmp_path / "copied")
     return Comms(tmp_path / "copied"), viewer
 
diff --git a/tests/textual/test_wire_source.py b/tests/textual/test_wire_source.py
index 098156083..b14906425 100644
--- a/tests/textual/test_wire_source.py
+++ b/tests/textual/test_wire_source.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """Textual-facing: the presentation window; a wire source pages one conversation and notices when Core replaces its reading."""
 
-from agent_comms.candidate_maintenance import drain_candidate_catchup
 from agent_comms.channel_targets import ChannelTarget
 from agent_comms.comms import wire
 from agent_comms.historical_views import ConversationObservation
@@ -75,7 +74,6 @@ def bodies(prepared):
     later = AfterSequence(LiveCursor(grown.through.cursor.sequence + 1))
     bounded = source.read(PageRequest(NEWER_END, grown.through), later)
     assert bodies(bounded) == ["arrived later"] and bounded.page.after == later and not bounded.page.has_newer
-    drain_candidate_catchup(comms.root)
     current = source.observe(grown.revision)
     assert isinstance(source.observe(current.revision), Unchanged)