diff --git a/packaging/irods_prc_tests/test_rule_engine_plugin_metadata_guard_atomic.py b/packaging/irods_prc_tests/test_rule_engine_plugin_metadata_guard_atomic.py
index 51283d0..d7c7631 100644
--- a/packaging/irods_prc_tests/test_rule_engine_plugin_metadata_guard_atomic.py
+++ b/packaging/irods_prc_tests/test_rule_engine_plugin_metadata_guard_atomic.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def test_guard_atomic_operations_admin_only__issue_38(self):
 
     def test_guard_atomic_operations_editor_list__issue_38(self):
         # set metadata_guard config AVU on collection to admin_only: false and irods:: as protected prefix
-        # also, add test user as editor
+        # also, add alice user as editor
         with iRODSSession(host='localhost', port=1247, user='rods', password='rods', zone='tempZone') as local_admin:
             coll = local_admin.collections.get("/tempZone")
             METADATA_GUARD_CONFIG = {
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def test_guard_atomic_operations_editor_list__issue_38(self):
             obj.metadata.apply_atomic_operations( AVUOperation(operation='add', avu=iRODSMeta('irods::editorlist', 'editorlist')))
             self.assertEqual(obj.metadata['irods::editorlist'], iRODSMeta('irods::editorlist', 'editorlist'))
 
-        # remove test user from editor list
+        # remove alice user from editor list
         with iRODSSession(host='localhost', port=1247, user='rods', password='rods', zone='tempZone') as local_admin:
             coll = local_admin.collections.get("/tempZone")
             METADATA_GUARD_CONFIG = {
@@ -137,7 +137,9 @@ def test_guard_atomic_operations_editor_list__issue_38(self):
         with iRODSSession(host='localhost', port=1247, user='alice', password='test', zone='tempZone') as unprivileged_user:
             obj = unprivileged_user.data_objects.get(self.TEST_DATA_OBJECT_PATH)
 
-            # operation should succeed, as alice is set as an editor
+            # this was set previously, make sure it is still the case
+            self.assertEqual(obj.metadata['irods::editorlist'], iRODSMeta('irods::editorlist', 'editorlist'))
+            # operation should fail, as test user is no longer in editor list
             self.assertRaises(irods.exception.CAT_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE_LEVEL, lambda: obj.metadata.apply_atomic_operations( AVUOperation(operation='remove', avu=iRODSMeta('irods::editorlist', 'editorlist'))))