diff --git a/solara/test/pytest_plugin.py b/solara/test/pytest_plugin.py
index 8a0709251..e23b7f580 100644
--- a/solara/test/pytest_plugin.py
+++ b/solara/test/pytest_plugin.py
@@ -169,6 +169,15 @@ def SyncWrapper():
 def solara_test(solara_server, solara_app, page_session: "playwright.sync_api.Page"):
     global run_calls
     with solara_app("solara.test.pytest_plugin:SyncWrapper"):
+        # a currently open page will try to connect to solara, creating a
+        # new context, so we navigate away first, then close all contexts
+        page_session.goto("about:blank")
+        for key in list(solara.server.app.contexts):
+            try:
+                solara.server.app.contexts[key].close()
+            except:  # noqa
+                pass
+        assert len(solara.server.app.contexts) == 0
         page_session.goto(solara_server.base_url)
         run_event.wait()
         assert run_calls == 1