diff --git a/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_pt.py b/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_pt.py
index 0c1d46c5f7..8747884ef6 100644
--- a/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_pt.py
+++ b/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_pt.py
@@ -680,7 +680,7 @@ def test_pair_deepmd_si(lammps_si):
 )
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     ("balance_args",),
-    [(["--balance"],)],
+    [(["--balance"],), ([],)],
 )
 def test_pair_deepmd_mpi(balance_args: list):
     with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile() as f:
diff --git a/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_sel_pt.py b/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_sel_pt.py
index 03e2501efb..45e148fcaa 100644
--- a/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_sel_pt.py
+++ b/source/lmp/tests/test_lammps_dpa_sel_pt.py
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ def test_pair_deepmd_si(lammps_si):
 )
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     ("balance_args",),
-    [(["--balance"],)],
+    [(["--balance"],), ([],)],
 )
 def test_pair_deepmd_mpi(balance_args: list):
     with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile() as f: