diff --git a/tests/python/test_commands_job.py b/tests/python/test_commands_job.py
index bd4ea20..2ea2738 100644
--- a/tests/python/test_commands_job.py
+++ b/tests/python/test_commands_job.py
@@ -1036,6 +1036,8 @@ def test_job_wait_for_ip_timeout(
     """When _wait_for_ip returns None the job raises 'timeout waiting for guest IP'."""
     backend = _FakeBackend(running_after=0, ip=None)
     _patch_common(monkeypatch, backend)
+    # Bypass the real polling loop — we test the consequence, not the loop.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(job_module, "_wait_for_ip", lambda *_a, **_k: None)
 
     result = CliRunner().invoke(
         cli,
@@ -1054,7 +1056,9 @@ def test_job_transport_probe_timeout(
 ) -> None:
     """_probe_transport returning False → 'timeout waiting for guest transport'."""
     backend = _FakeBackend(running_after=0)
-    _patch_common(monkeypatch, backend, transport_ready=False)
+    _patch_common(monkeypatch, backend)
+    # Bypass the real probe loop — we test the consequence, not the loop.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(job_module, "_probe_transport", lambda **_k: False)
 
     result = CliRunner().invoke(
         cli,
diff --git a/tests/python/test_ip_pool.py b/tests/python/test_ip_pool.py
index f060ec8..5e918ce 100644
--- a/tests/python/test_ip_pool.py
+++ b/tests/python/test_ip_pool.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_acquire_exhausted_raises(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     pool = make_pool(tmp_path, addresses=["10.0.0.1"])
     pool.acquire("owner-1")
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="exhausted"):
-        pool.acquire("owner-2", timeout=0.1)
+        pool.acquire("owner-2", timeout=0)
 
 
 # ── release ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────