diff --git a/cron/suggestions.py b/cron/suggestions.py
index 85d2db49ef..afbd44dbda 100644
--- a/cron/suggestions.py
+++ b/cron/suggestions.py
@@ -46,11 +46,10 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # profile's cron store. Anchor on get_hermes_home() (profile home), not the
 # shared default root. See cron/jobs.py for the full rationale.
 #
-# Optional test overrides. Production resolves the path at call time so
+# Optional test override. Production resolves the path at call time so
 # multiplexed profile ticks (set_hermes_home_override) cannot leak one
 # profile's suggestions into the import-time home (#86519). Same pattern as
 # cron/executions.py.
-CRON_DIR: Optional[Path] = None
 SUGGESTIONS_FILE: Optional[Path] = None
 
 
diff --git a/tests/cron/test_suggestions.py b/tests/cron/test_suggestions.py
index d0be3c666c..3abaf54d31 100644
--- a/tests/cron/test_suggestions.py
+++ b/tests/cron/test_suggestions.py
@@ -37,6 +37,26 @@ def _add(store, key="k1", title="Test", source="catalog", schedule="0 9 * * *"):
 
 
 class TestStore:
+    def test_explicit_file_override_wins_over_profile_home(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+        from hermes_constants import (
+            reset_hermes_home_override,
+            set_hermes_home_override,
+        )
+        import cron.suggestions as suggestions_mod
+
+        explicit_file = tmp_path / "explicit" / "suggestions.json"
+        profile_home = tmp_path / "profile"
+        monkeypatch.setattr(suggestions_mod, "SUGGESTIONS_FILE", explicit_file)
+
+        token = set_hermes_home_override(profile_home)
+        try:
+            _add(suggestions_mod, key="explicit-file")
+        finally:
+            reset_hermes_home_override(token)
+
+        assert explicit_file.exists()
+        assert not (profile_home / "cron" / "suggestions.json").exists()
+
     def test_profile_override_routes_writes_to_current_home(self, tmp_path):
         from hermes_constants import (
             reset_hermes_home_override,