diff --git a/src/bucket/test/BucketListTests.cpp b/src/bucket/test/BucketListTests.cpp
index 49fd48e378..83feed4e55 100644
--- a/src/bucket/test/BucketListTests.cpp
+++ b/src/bucket/test/BucketListTests.cpp
@@ -522,12 +522,22 @@ TEST_CASE_VERSIONS("live bucket tombstones expire at bottom level and live "
         REQUIRE(e0.nDead != 0);
         REQUIRE(e1.nDead != 0);
         REQUIRE(e2.nDead == 0);
-        // Assert that init entries are converted to live entries
-        // at the lowest level.
-        REQUIRE(e0.nLive == 0);
-        REQUIRE(e0.nInitOrArchived != 0);
-        // But not the level above.
-        REQUIRE(e1.nInitOrArchived == 0);
+        if (protocolVersionStartsFrom(
+                cfg.LEDGER_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
+                LiveBucket::FIRST_PROTOCOL_SUPPORTING_INITENTRY_AND_METAENTRY))
+        {
+            // Assert that init entries are converted to live entries
+            // at the lowest level.
+            REQUIRE(e2.nLive == 0);
+            REQUIRE(e2.nInitOrArchived != 0);
+            // But not the level above.
+            REQUIRE(e1.nInitOrArchived == 0);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            REQUIRE(e2.nLive != 0);
+            REQUIRE(e2.nInitOrArchived == 0);
+        }
     });
 }