diff --git a/nixos/tests/netdata.nix b/nixos/tests/netdata.nix
index c5f7294f79ab..e3438f63404e 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/netdata.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/netdata.nix
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
     # check if netdata can read disk ops for root owned processes.
     # if > 0, successful. verifies both netdata working and
     # apps.plugin has elevated capabilities.
-    url = "http://localhost:19999/api/v1/data\?chart=users.pwrites"
-    filter = '[.data[range(10)][.labels | indices("root")[0]]] | add | . > 0'
+    url = "http://localhost:19999/api/v1/data\?chart=user.root_disk_physical_io"
+    filter = '[.data[range(10)][2]] | add | . < 0'
     cmd = f"curl -s {url} | jq -e '{filter}'"
     netdata.wait_until_succeeds(cmd)