diff --git a/src/pipecat/tests/utils.py b/src/pipecat/tests/utils.py
index a763dbc86..c92eb6309 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/tests/utils.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/tests/utils.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ async def run_test(
     expected_up_frames: Optional[Sequence[type]] = None,
     ignore_start: bool = True,
     observers: Optional[List[BaseObserver]] = None,
-    start_metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    pipeline_params: Optional[PipelineParams] = None,
     send_end_frame: bool = True,
 ) -> Tuple[Sequence[Frame], Sequence[Frame]]:
     """Run a test pipeline with the specified processor and validate frame flow.
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ async def run_test(
         expected_up_frames: Expected frame types flowing upstream (optional).
         ignore_start: Whether to ignore StartFrames in frame validation.
         observers: Optional list of observers to attach to the pipeline.
-        start_metadata: Optional metadata to include with the StartFrame.
+        pipeline_params: Optional pipeline parameters.
         send_end_frame: Whether to send an EndFrame at the end of the test.
 
     Returns:
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ async def run_test(
         AssertionError: If the received frames don't match the expected frame types.
     """
     observers = observers or []
-    start_metadata = start_metadata or {}
+    pipeline_params = pipeline_params or PipelineParams()
 
     received_up = asyncio.Queue()
     received_down = asyncio.Queue()
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ async def run_test(
 
     task = PipelineTask(
         pipeline,
-        params=PipelineParams(start_metadata=start_metadata),
+        params=pipeline_params,
         observers=observers,
         cancel_on_idle_timeout=False,
     )
diff --git a/tests/test_pipeline.py b/tests/test_pipeline.py
index f6c8304a9..f36c0cf2f 100644
--- a/tests/test_pipeline.py
+++ b/tests/test_pipeline.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class TestPipeline(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
             frames_to_send=frames_to_send,
             expected_down_frames=expected_down_frames,
             ignore_start=False,
-            start_metadata={"foo": "bar"},
+            pipeline_params=PipelineParams(start_metadata={"foo": "bar"}),
         )
         assert "foo" in received_down[-1].metadata