diff --git a/tests/test-cells/src/widget.spec.ts b/tests/test-cells/src/widget.spec.ts
index 39e4de32611b..d8824b101a62 100644
--- a/tests/test-cells/src/widget.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/test-cells/src/widget.spec.ts
@@ -451,8 +451,9 @@ describe('cells/widget', () => {
         await CodeCell.execute(widget, session);
         const executionCount = widget.model.executionCount;
         expect(executionCount).to.not.equal(originalCount);
-        expect('timing.execute_reply_started').to.be.ok();
-        expect('timing.execute_reply_sent').to.be.ok();
+        expect(widget.model.metadata.get('timing.execute_reply_started')).to
+          .exist;
+        expect(widget.model.metadata.get('timing.execute_reply_sent')).to.exist;
       });
     });
   });