diff --git a/packages/pytest-simcore/src/pytest_simcore/helpers/faker_factories.py b/packages/pytest-simcore/src/pytest_simcore/helpers/faker_factories.py
index 405753670914..b03d29c67005 100644
--- a/packages/pytest-simcore/src/pytest_simcore/helpers/faker_factories.py
+++ b/packages/pytest-simcore/src/pytest_simcore/helpers/faker_factories.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 
 def random_service_key(fake: Faker = DEFAULT_FAKER, *, name: str | None = None) -> str:
-    suffix = fake.unique.word() if name is None else name
+    suffix = fake.unique.pystr(min_chars=2) if name is None else name
     return f"simcore/services/{fake.random_element(['dynamic', 'comp', 'frontend'])}/{suffix.lower()}"