diff --git a/backend/tests/test_log_parser.py b/backend/tests/test_log_parser.py
index d6824e0..ea2089b 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_log_parser.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_log_parser.py
@@ -156,7 +156,8 @@ class TestLookupGeo:
         lp._geo_reader = None
 
     @patch("app.log_parser.settings")
-    def test_ip_maps_to_country(self, mock_settings):
+    @patch("app.log_parser.os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    def test_ip_maps_to_country(self, mock_exists, mock_settings):
         """Verify a known IP resolves to a country code via the GeoLite2 reader."""
         self._reset_geo_reader()
         mock_settings.GEOLITE2_DB_PATH = "/tmp/fake-geo.mmdb"
@@ -179,7 +180,8 @@ class TestLookupGeo:
         assert result["longitude"] == -74.006
 
     @patch("app.log_parser.settings")
-    def test_ip_without_coordinates_uses_centroid_fallback(self, mock_settings):
+    @patch("app.log_parser.os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    def test_ip_without_coordinates_uses_centroid_fallback(self, mock_exists, mock_settings):
         """When the free GeoLite2 DB lacks coordinates, centroid fallback kicks in."""
         self._reset_geo_reader()
         mock_settings.GEOLITE2_DB_PATH = "/tmp/fake-geo.mmdb"