diff --git a/tests/test_utils_pv.py b/tests/test_utils_pv.py
index 3a52a85d2..fb1a79ef7 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils_pv.py
+++ b/tests/test_utils_pv.py
@@ -26,18 +26,26 @@ def run_test_ioc():
     prefix = "TEST:"
     ioc = TestIOC(prefix=prefix)
 
+    # ✅ Force minimal args to avoid pytest conflicts
+    _, run_options = ioc_arg_parser(
+        default_prefix=prefix,
+        desc="Test IOC",
+        argv=["--list-pvs"]  # important to avoid argparse clash
+    )
+
+    # ✅ Proper IOC launch with run_options
     def start_ioc():
-        # Run the IOC directly, no parsing
-        asyncio.run(run(ioc.pvdb, startup_hook=None))
+        run(ioc.pvdb, **run_options)
 
     thread = threading.Thread(target=start_ioc, daemon=True)
     thread.start()
 
-    # Let the IOC boot up
+    # ✅ Wait for server to be up
     time.sleep(1.5)
     yield
 
 
+
 # Fixture to capture stdout (for tqdm / progress bar)
 @pytest.fixture
 def capture_stdout(monkeypatch):