diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_agg.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_agg.py
index 545340db20c5..68ec0c4fda3e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_agg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_agg.py
@@ -286,50 +286,46 @@ def test_chunksize_fails():
     w = 5*dpi
     h = 6*dpi
 
-    # just fit in the width
+    # make a Path that spans the whole w-h rectangle
     x = np.linspace(0, w, N)
-    # and go top-to-bottom
     y = np.ones(N) * h
     y[::2] = 0
+    path = Path(np.vstack((x, y)).T)
+    # effectively disable path simplification (but leaving it "on")
+    path.simplify_threshold = 0
 
-    idt = IdentityTransform()
-    # make a renderer
+    # setup the minimal GraphicsContext to draw a Path
     ra = RendererAgg(w, h, dpi)
-    # setup the minimal gc to draw a line
     gc = ra.new_gc()
     gc.set_linewidth(1)
     gc.set_foreground('r')
-    # make a Path
-    p = Path(np.vstack((x, y)).T)
-    # effectively disable path simplification (but leaving it "on")
-    p.simplify_threshold = 0
 
     gc.set_hatch('/')
-    with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='hatched path'):
-        ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt)
+    with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='can not split hatched path'):
+        ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform())
     gc.set_hatch(None)
 
-    with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='filled path'):
-        ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt, (1, 0, 0))
+    with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='can not split filled path'):
+        ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform(), (1, 0, 0))
 
     # Set to zero to disable, currently defaults to 0, but let's be sure.
     with rc_context({'agg.path.chunksize': 0}):
         with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='Please set'):
-            ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt)
+            ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform())
 
     # Set big enough that we do not try to chunk.
     with rc_context({'agg.path.chunksize': 1_000_000}):
         with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='Please reduce'):
-            ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt)
+            ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform())
 
     # Small enough we will try to chunk, but big enough we will fail to render.
     with rc_context({'agg.path.chunksize': 90_000}):
         with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match='Please reduce'):
-            ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt)
+            ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform())
 
-    p.should_simplify = False
+    path.should_simplify = False
     with pytest.raises(OverflowError, match="should_simplify is False"):
-        ra.draw_path(gc, p, idt)
+        ra.draw_path(gc, path, IdentityTransform())
 
 
 def test_non_tuple_rgbaface():