diff --git a/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.spec.tsx b/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.spec.tsx
index 00d5c6c..b65fa6a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.spec.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.spec.tsx
@@ -1,17 +1,29 @@
+import { createHistory, createMemorySource, LocationProvider } from '@reach/router';
 import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
 import { useSessionContext } from '../../contexts/session/SessionContext';
 import NewSession from './new-session';
 
+// for some types of tests you want a memory source
+const testSessionID = 'sessionid1234';
+let source = createMemorySource(`/machinery/new-session#/${testSessionID}`);
+let history = createHistory(source);
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  history.location.hash = `#/${testSessionID}`;
+});
+
 const setupSessionMock = jest.fn();
 (useSessionContext as jest.Mock) = jest.fn(() => ({
   setupSession: setupSessionMock,
   isAuthenticated: true,
 }));
 
-const testSessionID = 'sessionid1234';
-
 it('sets up the session', () => {
-  render(<NewSession sessionID={testSessionID} />);
+  render(
+    <LocationProvider history={history}>
+      <NewSession />
+    </LocationProvider>
+  );
 
   expect(useSessionContext).toBeCalled();
   expect(setupSessionMock).toBeCalledWith('sessionid1234');
@@ -19,7 +31,11 @@ it('sets up the session', () => {
 
 it('redirects to the correct location when rp_postauth_redirect is set', async () => {
   localStorage.setItem('rp_postauth_redirect', '/hello_world');
-  render(<NewSession sessionID={testSessionID} />);
+  render(
+    <LocationProvider history={history}>
+      <NewSession />
+    </LocationProvider>
+  );
 
   const bounceLink = screen.getByText("If you aren't redirected soon, click here.");
   expect(bounceLink.getAttribute('href')).toBe('/hello_world');
@@ -27,7 +43,11 @@ it('redirects to the correct location when rp_postauth_redirect is set', async (
 
 it('redirects to the correct location by default', async () => {
   localStorage.setItem('rp_postauth_redirect', '/servers');
-  render(<NewSession sessionID={testSessionID} />);
+  render(
+    <LocationProvider history={history}>
+      <NewSession />
+    </LocationProvider>
+  );
 
   const bounceLink = screen.getByText("If you aren't redirected soon, click here.");
   expect(bounceLink.getAttribute('href')).toBe('/servers');
diff --git a/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.tsx b/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.tsx
index 0074f2f..f0deedf 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/pages/machinery/new-session.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import * as React from 'react';
 import { useSessionContext } from '../../contexts/session/SessionContext';
 import { Title } from '../../utils/metaTitle';
 
-const NewSession = (props: { sessionID: string }) => {
+const NewSession = () => {
   const { setupSession, sessionID } = useSessionContext();
   const [postauthUrl, setPostauthUrl] = React.useState('/servers');
   const navigate = useNavigate();