diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
index 0e27f771f9..99104a35e1 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/channels.spec.ts
@@ -2453,16 +2453,9 @@ test("sidebar clears unread indicator after opening a DM", async ({ page }) => {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("message-dm-intro")).toContainText(
     "This is the beginning of your direct message with",
   );
-  // `.first()`: backdated seeds can straddle midnight UTC and render two
-  // dividers (Yesterday + Today); a bare locator fails Playwright strict mode.
-  await expect(
-    page.getByTestId("message-timeline-day-divider").first(),
-  ).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("message-timeline")).toContainText(
     "Unread update for the DM",
   );
-  await expectSameLeftInset(page, "message-dm-intro", "message-row");
-  await expectIntroSpacedAboveDayDivider(page, "message-dm-intro");
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-unread-alice-tyler")).toHaveCount(0);
 });