diff --git a/tests/telemetry/test_energy_wiring.py b/tests/telemetry/test_energy_wiring.py
index 399b717d..06ec1cb6 100644
--- a/tests/telemetry/test_energy_wiring.py
+++ b/tests/telemetry/test_energy_wiring.py
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ def _energy_config(tmp_path, gpu_metrics=True):
     cfg.telemetry.gpu_metrics = gpu_metrics
     cfg.telemetry.energy_vendor = ""
     cfg.telemetry.db_path = str(tmp_path / "telemetry.db")
+    # These tests exercise engine-level instrumentation, not agent dispatch.
+    # `jarvis ask` (no --agent) now falls back to ``agent.default_agent``
+    # which defaults to "simple", and conftest clears the registry per test.
+    # Opt out explicitly so the CLI uses direct-engine mode here.
+    cfg.agent.default_agent = ""
     return cfg