diff --git a/test/unit/format/sam_input_test_template.hpp b/test/unit/format/sam_input_test_template.hpp
index 4de13c4..d82ec47 100644
--- a/test/unit/format/sam_input_test_template.hpp
+++ b/test/unit/format/sam_input_test_template.hpp
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ struct sam_file_data : public ::testing::Test
     std::vector<int32_t> positions // 1-based in b.i.o. 0-based in seqan3
       {1, 2, 3};
 
+    // clang-format off
     std::vector<std::vector<seqan3::cigar>> cigars
     {
         // cigar read1
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ struct sam_file_data : public ::testing::Test
          {1, 'M'_cigar_operation},
          {1, 'S'_cigar_operation}}
     };
+    // clang-format on
 
     std::vector<bio::map_io::sam_flag> flags{bio::map_io::sam_flag{41u},
                                              bio::map_io::sam_flag{42u},