diff --git a/llama_stack/providers/tests/inference/test_text_inference.py b/llama_stack/providers/tests/inference/test_text_inference.py
index f0f1d0eb2..9e5c67375 100644
--- a/llama_stack/providers/tests/inference/test_text_inference.py
+++ b/llama_stack/providers/tests/inference/test_text_inference.py
@@ -211,7 +211,15 @@ class TestInference:
         response = await inference_impl.chat_completion(
             model_id=inference_model,
             messages=[
-                SystemMessage(content="You are a helpful assistant."),
+                # we include context about Michael Jordan in the prompt so that the test is
+                # focused on the funtionality of the model and not on the information embedded
+                # in the model. Llama 3.2 3B Instruct tends to think MJ played for 14 seasons.
+                SystemMessage(
+                    content=(
+                        "You are a helpful assistant.\n\n"
+                        "Michael Jordan was born in 1963. He played basketball for the Chicago Bulls for 15 seasons."
+                    )
+                ),
                 UserMessage(content="Please give me information about Michael Jordan."),
             ],
             stream=False,