diff --git a/tests/pexpects/histfile.py b/tests/pexpects/histfile.py
index cfefdc726..a8950cf4c 100644
--- a/tests/pexpects/histfile.py
+++ b/tests/pexpects/histfile.py
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ expect_prompt()
 
 # Verify that if we spawn fish with a HISTFILE env var it uses that file.
 # Start by shutting down the previous shell.
+sendline("jobs")
+expect_prompt("jobs: There are no jobs")
 sendline("exit")
 sendline("exit")
 sp.spawn.wait()