diff --git a/tests/system/conftest.py b/tests/system/conftest.py
index c6ae6cc1..be3c05b3 100644
--- a/tests/system/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/system/conftest.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ async def wait_url_up(url: str | URL) -> None:
             except httpx.NetworkError as ex:
                 logger.debug("URL %s gave exception %r", url, ex)
         else:
-            pytest.fail(f"url {url} still not reachable")
+            assert False, f"url {url} still not reachable"  # noqa: PT015
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(name="rootdir")