diff --git a/tests/unit/test_layer.py b/tests/unit/test_layer.py
index 92577f34da95006c8772c46b39dcafeaff40b5cc..cdf86bbcd5c6b0d19dd150ca913a249dcbe2e37d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_layer.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_layer.py
@@ -120,8 +120,9 @@ class TestRouteLayer:
         assert route_layer_openai.score_threshold == 0.82
 
     def test_initialization_no_encoder(self, openai_encoder):
-        route_layer_none = RouteLayer(encoder=None)
-        assert route_layer_none.score_threshold == openai_encoder.score_threshold
+        with patch("semantic_router.encoders.OpenAIEncoder") as _:
+            route_layer_none = RouteLayer(encoder=None)
+            assert route_layer_none.score_threshold == openai_encoder.score_threshold
 
     def test_initialization_dynamic_route(self, cohere_encoder, openai_encoder):
         route_layer_cohere = RouteLayer(encoder=cohere_encoder)