diff --git a/tests/domain/tasks/test_subtasks.py b/tests/domain/tasks/test_subtasks.py
index d379439c6..18d09a6a5 100644
--- a/tests/domain/tasks/test_subtasks.py
+++ b/tests/domain/tasks/test_subtasks.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def test_start_is_idempotent_from_in_progress() -> None:
     assert st.cloud_logs_url == "https://other"
 
 
-def test_start_rejects_from_terminal_status() -> None:
+def test_start_rejects_from_complete() -> None:
     # arrange
     st = SubTask.create(task_id=uuid4())
     st.complete()
diff --git a/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py b/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
index dc822e00c..fb0cd8e6c 100644
--- a/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
+++ b/tests/orchestration/test_task_orchestrator.py
@@ -286,9 +286,9 @@ def test_completing_a_rerun_failed_subtask_unfails_the_task(
     assert task_after.job_completed is not None
 
 
-def test_cascade_short_circuits_once_task_already_failed(harness: Harness) -> None:
-    """Once the Task is FAILED, completing another SubTask leaves it FAILED — the
-    terminal state is not recomputed away."""
+def test_task_stays_failed_while_a_failed_subtask_remains(harness: Harness) -> None:
+    """Completing a *sibling* does not un-fail the Task — only re-running the
+    failed SubTask itself can (see the re-run test above)."""
     # arrange — two children; fail the first so the task is FAILED
     task, coordinator = harness.orchestrator.create_task_with_subtask(
         task_source="manual:test"