diff --git a/ui/frontend/tests/e2e/lobby-tier-gate.spec.ts b/ui/frontend/tests/e2e/lobby-tier-gate.spec.ts
index ae2ab93..4788b90 100644
--- a/ui/frontend/tests/e2e/lobby-tier-gate.spec.ts
+++ b/ui/frontend/tests/e2e/lobby-tier-gate.spec.ts
@@ -174,16 +174,16 @@ test.describe("F8-04b — tier gate", () => {
 		// absent. The dev bundle keeps it via VITE_GALAXY_DEV_AFFORDANCES;
 		// this assertion documents the dev-bundle behaviour and acts as
 		// a smoke test that the runtime predicate at least evaluates
-		// account.entitlement.is_paid without throwing.
+		// account.entitlement.is_paid without throwing. Use `attached`
+		// instead of `visible` because the desktop submenu button is
+		// CSS-hidden on the mobile viewports — the mobile sidebar
+		// tucks the same entry behind a dropdown popover.
 		const privateGamesEntry = page.getByTestId("lobby-nav-games-private-games");
-		// In dev DEV_AFFORDANCES=true → entry is visible (the gate is
-		// bypassed for owner testing). The assertion captures that.
-		await expect(privateGamesEntry).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(privateGamesEntry).toBeAttached();
 
 		// Free-tier callers reach the create form via the DEV-visible
 		// entry, but the backend still rejects the POST. Use the dev
-		// nav surface so the assertion works on mobile too (the mobile
-		// sidebar tucks the private-games entry behind a dropdown).
+		// nav surface so the assertion works on mobile too.
 		await page.evaluate(() => window.__galaxyNav!.go("games-private-games"));
 		await page.getByTestId("lobby-create-button").click();
 		await expect(page.getByTestId("lobby-create-form")).toBeVisible();