diff --git a/tests/pixelfed-garage.nix b/tests/pixelfed-garage.nix
index 43a26d52..92ef7215 100644
--- a/tests/pixelfed-garage.nix
+++ b/tests/pixelfed-garage.nix
@@ -152,6 +152,8 @@ pkgs.nixosTest {
         POST_MEDIA = ./fediversity.png;
         AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID = config.services.garage.ensureKeys.pixelfed.id;
         AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY = config.services.garage.ensureKeys.pixelfed.secret;
+        ## without this we get frivolous errors in the logs
+        MC_REGION = "garage";
       };
       # chrome does not like being run as root
       users.users.selenium = {