diff --git a/features/steps/lsp_actor_service_steps.py b/features/steps/lsp_actor_service_steps.py
index 286ded742..79cc69afc 100644
--- a/features/steps/lsp_actor_service_steps.py
+++ b/features/steps/lsp_actor_service_steps.py
@@ -210,7 +210,10 @@ def step_lsp_server_released(context: Any, server_name: str) -> None:
     # (or at least the reference count should be decremented)
     # This is a simplified check; in reality, the server might still be running
     # if other actors reference it
-    pass
+    # The lifecycle manager exposes a health_check method to verify server state
+    assert not context.service.runtime.lifecycle.health_check(
+        server_name
+    ), f"Server {server_name} was not released after deactivation"
 
 
 @then("the activation completes with warnings")