diff --git a/crates/dream-gate/tests/repo_config.rs b/crates/dream-gate/tests/repo_config.rs
index 1c6bda6..2dd5af5 100644
--- a/crates/dream-gate/tests/repo_config.rs
+++ b/crates/dream-gate/tests/repo_config.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@ fn the_evaluators_are_the_workspace_gates_and_there_is_no_darwin() {
         cmd("clippy"),
         "cargo clippy --workspace --all-targets -- -D warnings"
     );
-    assert_eq!(cmd("fmt"), "cargo fmt --all --check");
+    // fmt must say something on success: cargo fmt --check is silent when
+    // clean, and the gate reads a silent exit 0 as BLOCKED-ENV (2026-10-17).
+    assert_eq!(
+        cmd("fmt"),
+        "cargo fmt --all --check && echo 'fmt: all files formatted'"
+    );
     assert_eq!(
         cmd("doc"),
         "RUSTDOCFLAGS='-D warnings' cargo doc --no-deps --workspace"
diff --git a/dream.config.json b/dream.config.json
index 5c635da..6e43aa4 100644
--- a/dream.config.json
+++ b/dream.config.json
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
   "evaluatorEntrypoints": {
     "tests": "cargo test --workspace --locked",
     "clippy": "cargo clippy --workspace --all-targets -- -D warnings",
-    "fmt": "cargo fmt --all --check",
+    "fmt": "cargo fmt --all --check && echo 'fmt: all files formatted'",
     "doc": "RUSTDOCFLAGS='-D warnings' cargo doc --no-deps --workspace",
     "deny": "cargo deny check",
     "parity": { "cmd": "cargo test -p dream-core --test ts_parity --locked", "required": true, "timeoutSecs": 900, "testFormat": "libtest" }