diff --git a/crates/fbuild-paths/src/lib.rs b/crates/fbuild-paths/src/lib.rs
index 94c35ba0..fd97ac9e 100644
--- a/crates/fbuild-paths/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/fbuild-paths/src/lib.rs
@@ -224,10 +224,12 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn dev_mode_port() {
-        // Note: can't set env vars in parallel tests safely,
-        // so just test the function exists and returns a valid port
+        // Note: can't set env vars in parallel tests safely, and the
+        // function's own priority chain (env var > current-mode port file >
+        // other-mode port file > mode-default) legitimately returns any
+        // u16 > 0. Assert only the contract the function actually promises.
         let port = get_daemon_port();
-        assert!(port == 8765 || port == 8865);
+        assert!(port > 0);
     }
 
     #[test]