diff --git a/tests/integration.c b/tests/integration.c
index f2b2c94..949394c 100644
--- a/tests/integration.c
+++ b/tests/integration.c
@@ -399,6 +399,9 @@ static int test_multiple_channels(void) {
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
 
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
+
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_multi", JackNoStartServer, &status);
@@ -446,6 +449,8 @@ static int test_control_key_modifier(void) {
     printf("Test: control‑key modifier triggers state transition via note 62\n");
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_ctrl_key", JackNoStartServer, &status);
@@ -546,6 +551,8 @@ static int test_bind_channel(void) {
     printf("Test: control‑key bind channel (note 0) and toggle\n");
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_bind", JackNoStartServer, &status);
@@ -659,6 +666,8 @@ static int test_bind_unbind(void) {
     printf("Test: bind to channel 5, unbind, then toggle default (channel 0)\n");
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_unbind", JackNoStartServer, &status);
@@ -787,6 +796,8 @@ static int test_remove_channel(void) {
     printf("Test: dynamic channel removal via MIDI command\n");
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_remove", JackNoStartServer, &status);
@@ -992,6 +1003,8 @@ static int test_wav_save(void) {
     printf("Test: save WAV file from loop\n");
     pid_t pid = start_looper();
     if (pid < 0) return 1;
+    /* ensure fresh MIDI connection for this test */
+    midi_inject_close();
     jack_client_t *client;
     jack_status_t status;
     client = jack_client_open("test_wav_save", JackNoStartServer, &status);