diff --git a/scripts/smoke-python-runtime.py b/scripts/smoke-python-runtime.py
index 43d0ec2ccb..139be0f756 100644
--- a/scripts/smoke-python-runtime.py
+++ b/scripts/smoke-python-runtime.py
@@ -918,6 +918,8 @@ def smoke_sdk_live() -> None:
                     "Use a tool to read that same file and copy its exact current content to the "
                     "new receipt path below, without changing the source file. "
                     "Preserve every byte; do not add a newline or byte-order mark. "
+                    f"{LIVE_API_SENTINEL} is only the completion acknowledgement, "
+                    "not a claim about the source or receipt contents. "
                     f"Then reply with exactly {LIVE_API_SENTINEL}.\n{receipt}"
                 )
                 verified = harness.run(verify_prompt, session_id=session_id)