diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_sync.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_sync.rs
index 22dce0af8..28d7311f0 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_sync.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_sync.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ impl Scratch {
         Scratch(dir)
     }
     fn path(&self, rel: &str) -> String {
-        self.0.join(rel).to_string_lossy().to_string()
+        // Fixtures use `/`; rebuild components so expected paths match the native separators
+        // returned by directory scans, including for files that have already been removed.
+        self.0.join(rel).components().collect::<PathBuf>().to_string_lossy().into_owned()
     }
 }