diff --git a/tests/test_maintenance.py b/tests/test_maintenance.py
index f580916..1484b77 100644
--- a/tests/test_maintenance.py
+++ b/tests/test_maintenance.py
@@ -30,9 +30,14 @@ def test_recover_interrupted_only_old(db_sync, monkeypatch):
     batch_id = _make_batch(db_sync)
     now = datetime.now(UTC)
 
+    # "Fresh" must sit comfortably under whatever STUCK_THRESHOLD_MINUTES
+    # currently is (5 min as of 2026-05-24, tightened from 30); 30
+    # seconds is well below any reasonable threshold. "Stale" stays at
+    # 2 hours so the test remains valid if the threshold ever moves
+    # back up.
     fresh = ImportTask(
         batch_id=batch_id, source_path="/import/a.jpg", task_type="media",
-        status="processing", started_at=now - timedelta(minutes=5),
+        status="processing", started_at=now - timedelta(seconds=30),
     )
     stale = ImportTask(
         batch_id=batch_id, source_path="/import/b.jpg", task_type="media",