diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_shutdown_memory_provider_messages.py b/tests/gateway/test_shutdown_memory_provider_messages.py
index b69d61c24f..3523c1e922 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_shutdown_memory_provider_messages.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_shutdown_memory_provider_messages.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ def _mock_dotenv(monkeypatch):
     """gateway.run imports dotenv at module load; stub so tests run bare."""
     fake = types.ModuleType("dotenv")
     fake.load_dotenv = lambda *a, **kw: None
+    fake.dotenv_values = lambda *a, **kw: {}
     monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "dotenv", fake)