diff --git a/server/src/test-utils/single-process-tap.ts b/server/src/test-utils/single-process-tap.ts
index 6e2d4e418..8dff6e4be 100644
--- a/server/src/test-utils/single-process-tap.ts
+++ b/server/src/test-utils/single-process-tap.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+/* eslint-disable import/first */
+// see: https://www.npmjs.com/package/fix-esm
+// fzf *mandates* esm, but we don't use it (ts transpiles to cjs)
+// sick of this headache.
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-require-imports, @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires
+require("fix-esm").register();
+
 import "external/mongo/db";
 import { CleanUpAfterTests } from "./cleanup";
 import glob from "glob";