diff --git a/tests/web/views/test_orders.py b/tests/web/views/test_orders.py
index 98d00cd..89d5039 100644
--- a/tests/web/views/test_orders.py
+++ b/tests/web/views/test_orders.py
@@ -1074,18 +1074,27 @@ class TestOrderView(WebTestCase):
         local = model.LocalCustomer(first_name='Jack', last_name='Black',
                                     phone_number='555-1234')
         self.session.add(local)
-        order.local_customer = local
         self.session.flush()
 
         # viewing (local customer)
         with patch.object(view, 'viewing', new=True):
-            form = view.make_form(model_instance=order)
-            # nb. this is to avoid include/exclude ambiguity
-            form.remove('items')
-            view.configure_form(form)
-            self.assertNotIn('pending_customer', form)
-            schema = form.get_schema()
-            self.assertIsInstance(schema['total_price'].typ, WuttaMoney)
+            with patch.object(order, 'local_customer', new=local):
+                form = view.make_form(model_instance=order)
+                # nb. this is to avoid include/exclude ambiguity
+                form.remove('items')
+                view.configure_form(form)
+                self.assertNotIn('pending_customer', form)
+                schema = form.get_schema()
+                self.assertIsInstance(schema['total_price'].typ, WuttaMoney)
+
+        # local customer is hidden if missing when customer_id is set
+        with patch.object(view, 'viewing', new=True):
+            with patch.object(order, 'customer_id', new='42'):
+                form = view.make_form(model_instance=order)
+                # nb. this is to avoid include/exclude ambiguity
+                form.remove('items')
+                view.configure_form(form)
+                self.assertNotIn('local_customer', form)
 
     def test_get_xref_buttons(self):
         self.pyramid_config.add_route('neworder_batches.view', '/batch/neworder/{uuid}')