diff --git a/tests/test_web/test_submit.py b/tests/test_web/test_submit.py
index 52102787..47c36f25 100644
--- a/tests/test_web/test_submit.py
+++ b/tests/test_web/test_submit.py
@@ -322,12 +322,11 @@ data:
         Test that key params are correctly added into the xmd
         """
         mmd = self.get_mmd()
-        side_tag = "SIDETAG"
         params = {
             "side_tag": "SIDETAG",
             "rpm_component_ref_overrides": {"pkg": "f4836ea0"},
             "branch": "f37",
-            }
+        }
         _apply_xmd_params(mmd, params)
 
         xmd = mmd.get_xmd()
@@ -467,4 +466,7 @@ class TestUtilsComponentReuse:
         ):
             submit_module_build(db_session, "foo", mmd_copy, {"branch": "private-foo"}, version)
 
+        # re-copy because submit_module_build could modify xmd
+        mmd_copy = mmd.copy()
+        mmd_copy.set_xmd({})
         submit_module_build(db_session, "foo", mmd_copy, {"branch": "otherbranch"}, version)