diff --git a/internal/gc/worker_test.go b/internal/gc/worker_test.go
index eb7ef9ee..5e5f737e 100644
--- a/internal/gc/worker_test.go
+++ b/internal/gc/worker_test.go
@@ -66,15 +66,13 @@ func TestGcCloseStalePlayEvents_ClosesOnly24hOldRows(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Need a track + session to satisfy FKs on play_events.
 	var trackID pgtype.UUID
-	if err := pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
-		INSERT INTO artists (name) VALUES ('A') RETURNING id
-	`).Scan(new(pgtype.UUID)); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("seed artist row: %v", err)
-	}
-	// Get the just-inserted artist id.
 	var artistID pgtype.UUID
-	if err := pool.QueryRow(ctx, `SELECT id FROM artists WHERE name = 'A'`).Scan(&artistID); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("read artist: %v", err)
+	// `artists` has sort_name NOT NULL; mirror the title in sort_name
+	// like every real insert site does (see api.search / library scan).
+	if err := pool.QueryRow(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO artists (name, sort_name) VALUES ('A', 'A') RETURNING id
+	`).Scan(&artistID); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed artist row: %v", err)
 	}
 	var albumID pgtype.UUID
 	if err := pool.QueryRow(ctx, `