diff --git a/tests/test_repository_tool.py b/tests/test_repository_tool.py
index 7d2e6e6c..65374ee5 100755
--- a/tests/test_repository_tool.py
+++ b/tests/test_repository_tool.py
@@ -331,7 +331,8 @@ def test_writeall(self):
     # snapshot modifies the Root metadata, which specifies whether a repository
     # supports consistent snapshots.  Verify that an exception is raised due to
     # the missing signatures of Root and Snapshot.
-    self.assertRaises(tuf.exceptions.UnsignedMetadataError, repository.writeall, True)
+    repository.root.unload_signing_key(root_privkey)
+    self.assertRaises(tuf.exceptions.UnsignedMetadataError, repository.writeall, consistent_snapshot=True)
 
     # Load the private keys of Root and Snapshot (new version required since
     # Root will change to enable consistent snapshots.