diff --git a/tests/test_managers.py b/tests/test_managers.py
index 7af0e4be..5e6da65c 100644
--- a/tests/test_managers.py
+++ b/tests/test_managers.py
@@ -2129,7 +2129,8 @@ async def test_list_agents_query_text_pagination(server: SyncServer, default_use
         actor=default_user,
     )
 
-    await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+    # at least 1 second to force unique timestamps in sqlite for deterministic pagination assertions
+    await asyncio.sleep(1.1)
 
     agent2 = await server.agent_manager.create_agent_async(
         agent_create=CreateAgent(
@@ -2143,7 +2144,8 @@ async def test_list_agents_query_text_pagination(server: SyncServer, default_use
         actor=default_user,
     )
 
-    await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+    # at least 1 second to force unique timestamps in sqlite for deterministic pagination assertions
+    await asyncio.sleep(1.1)
 
     agent3 = await server.agent_manager.create_agent_async(
         agent_create=CreateAgent(