diff --git a/internal/server/testing.go b/internal/server/testing.go
index bd5de9f776..71cb5f9a22 100644
--- a/internal/server/testing.go
+++ b/internal/server/testing.go
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ func TestRootCertificate(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, conn *db.DB, kmsKey
 
 	cert, err := newRootCertificate(ctx, mathRand.Uint64(), populateBytes(defaultLength), beforeTimestamp, afterTimestamp,
 		rootCertKeys, kmsKey, CurrentState)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
 	err = rw.Create(ctx, cert)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	return cert