diff --git a/tests/zfs-tests/tests/functional/cli_root/zpool_import/zpool_import_hostid_changed_cachefile_unclean_export.ksh b/tests/zfs-tests/tests/functional/cli_root/zpool_import/zpool_import_hostid_changed_cachefile_unclean_export.ksh
index dcb1ac1ab69f..c4273d050422 100755
--- a/tests/zfs-tests/tests/functional/cli_root/zpool_import/zpool_import_hostid_changed_cachefile_unclean_export.ksh
+++ b/tests/zfs-tests/tests/functional/cli_root/zpool_import/zpool_import_hostid_changed_cachefile_unclean_export.ksh
@@ -1,75 +1,73 @@
 #!/bin/ksh -p
 
 #
 # This file and its contents are supplied under the terms of the
 # Common Development and Distribution License ("CDDL"), version 1.0.
 # You may only use this file in accordance with the terms of version
 # 1.0 of the CDDL.
 #
 # A full copy of the text of the CDDL should have accompanied this
 # source.  A copy of the CDDL is also available via the Internet at
 # http://www.illumos.org/license/CDDL.
 #
 
 #
 # Copyright (c) 2021 by Delphix. All rights reserved.
 # Copyright (c) 2023 by Klara, Inc.
 #
 
 . $STF_SUITE/tests/functional/cli_root/zpool_import/zpool_import.kshlib
 
 #
 # DESCRIPTION:
 # A pool that wasn't cleanly exported should not be importable from a cachefile
 # without force if the local hostid doesn't match the on-disk hostid.
 #
 # STRATEGY:
 #	1. Set a hostid.
 #	2. Create a pool.
 #	3. Backup the cachefile.
 #	4. Simulate the pool being torn down without export:
-#	4.1. Copy the underlying device state.
-#	4.2. Export the pool.
-#	4.3. Restore the device state from the copy.
+#	4.1. Sync then freeze the pool.
+#	4.2. Export the pool (uncleanly).
 #	5. Change the hostid.
 #	6. Verify that importing the pool from the cachefile fails.
 #	7. Verify that importing the pool from the cachefile with force
 #	   succeeds.
 #
 
 verify_runnable "global"
 
 function custom_cleanup
 {
 	rm -f $HOSTID_FILE $CPATH $CPATHBKP $VDEV0.bak
 	cleanup
 }
 
 log_onexit custom_cleanup
 
 # 1. Set a hostid.
 log_must zgenhostid -f $HOSTID1
 
 # 2. Create a pool.
 log_must zpool create -o cachefile=$CPATH $TESTPOOL1 $VDEV0
 
 # 3. Backup the cachfile.
 log_must cp $CPATH $CPATHBKP
 
 # 4. Simulate the pool being torn down without export.
-log_must cp $VDEV0 $VDEV0.bak
+sync_pool $TESTPOOL1
+log_must zpool freeze $TESTPOOL1
 log_must zpool export $TESTPOOL1
-log_must cp -f $VDEV0.bak $VDEV0
-log_must rm -f $VDEV0.bak
 
 # 5. Change the hostid.
 log_must zgenhostid -f $HOSTID2
 
 # 6. Verify that importing the pool from the cachefile fails.
 log_mustnot zpool import -c $CPATHBKP $TESTPOOL1
 
 # 7. Verify that importing the pool from the cachefile with force succeeds.
 log_must zpool import -f -c $CPATHBKP $TESTPOOL1
 
 log_pass "zpool import from cachefile requires force if not cleanly " \
     "exported and hostid changes."