diff --git a/spec/requests/topics_controller_spec.rb b/spec/requests/topics_controller_spec.rb
index 117c88b7a69..4229bce9fff 100644
--- a/spec/requests/topics_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/topics_controller_spec.rb
@@ -1280,18 +1280,19 @@ RSpec.describe TopicsController do
         describe "when first post is locked" do
           it "blocks non-staff from editing even if 'trusted_users_can_edit_others' is true" do
             SiteSetting.trusted_users_can_edit_others = true
-            user.update(trust_level: 3)
-            topic.first_post.update(locked_by_id: admin.id)
+            user.update!(trust_level: 3)
+            topic.first_post.update!(locked_by_id: admin.id)
 
             put "/t/#{topic.slug}/#{topic.id}.json", params: {
               title: topic.title + " hello"
             }
+
             expect(response.status).to eq(403)
           end
 
           it "allows staff to edit" do
             sign_in(Fabricate(:admin))
-            topic.first_post.update(locked_by_id: admin.id)
+            topic.first_post.update!(locked_by_id: admin.id)
 
             put "/t/#{topic.slug}/#{topic.id}.json", params: {
               title: topic.title + " hello"