diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
index ceb9aa5765..5712773909 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ class DirectoryTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
                 "room_alias": "#another:remote",
             },
             retry_on_dns_fail=False,
+            ignore_backoff=True,
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
index 979cebf600..2a203129ca 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_federation.make_query.assert_called_with(
             destination="remote",
             query_type="profile",
-            args={"user_id": "@alice:remote", "field": "displayname"}
+            args={"user_id": "@alice:remote", "field": "displayname"},
+            ignore_backoff=True,
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks