diff --git a/tests/core/test_timeline.py b/tests/core/test_timeline.py
index fb0f953..752d3a8 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_timeline.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_timeline.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ def test_an_entry_whose_record_aged_out_says_so_instead_of_linking():
 
 def _item(e, **kw):
     v = service.view(e, _cfg(), {(e.ref_type, e.ref_id)})
-    v.update(group="Today", opens_group=True, **kw)
+    v.update({"group": "Today", "opens_group": True, **kw})
     return v