diff --git a/spec/wibox/hierarchy_spec.lua b/spec/wibox/hierarchy_spec.lua
index 6472eda33..98a1abad5 100644
--- a/spec/wibox/hierarchy_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/wibox/hierarchy_spec.lua
@@ -8,12 +8,10 @@ local hierarchy = require("wibox.hierarchy")
 local cairo = require("lgi").cairo
 local matrix = require("gears.matrix")
 local object = require("gears.object")
+local utils = require("wibox.test_utils")
 
 local function make_widget(children)
-    local result = object()
-    result:add_signal("widget::redraw_needed")
-    result:add_signal("widget::layout_changed")
-    result.visible = true
+    local result = utils.widget_stub()
     result.layout = function()
         return children
     end
diff --git a/spec/wibox/test_utils.lua b/spec/wibox/test_utils.lua
index d1e4954e3..e13fef340 100644
--- a/spec/wibox/test_utils.lua
+++ b/spec/wibox/test_utils.lua
@@ -82,8 +82,10 @@ assert:register("assertion", "widget_layout", widget_layout, "assertion.widget_l
 return {
     widget_stub = function(width, height)
         local w = object()
+        w:add_signal("widget::redraw_needed")
+        w:add_signal("widget::layout_changed")
         w.visible = true
-
+        w.opacity = 1
         w.fit = function()
             return width or 10, height or 10
         end