diff --git a/tools/summarizer/tests/test_app.py b/tools/summarizer/tests/test_app.py
index 845707e..866d683 100644
--- a/tools/summarizer/tests/test_app.py
+++ b/tools/summarizer/tests/test_app.py
@@ -738,6 +738,17 @@ def test_parser_timeout_terminates_descendants(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
         except ProcessLookupError:
             pass
         else:
+            # Minimal CI containers may not run an init process that promptly
+            # reaps orphaned children. A zombie has already been terminated and
+            # cannot execute or retain parser resources, even though kill(pid, 0)
+            # continues to see its process-table entry.
+            stat_path = Path(f"/proc/{descendant_pid}/stat")
+            try:
+                state = stat_path.read_text(encoding="ascii").split()[2]
+            except (FileNotFoundError, IndexError, OSError):
+                state = None
+            if state == "Z":
+                return
             os.kill(descendant_pid, 9)
             raise AssertionError("Parser descendant survived the parent deadline")