diff --git a/frontend/e2e/documents.spec.ts b/frontend/e2e/documents.spec.ts
index 8aae84bf..cd144535 100644
--- a/frontend/e2e/documents.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/e2e/documents.spec.ts
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ test.describe('PDF annotations — read-only user', () => {
 	// Isolated session — does not share the admin storage state
 	test.use({ storageState: { cookies: [], origins: [] } });
 
-	test('read-only user sees a disabled Annotieren button', async ({ page }) => {
+	test('read-only user does not see the Annotieren button', async ({ page }) => {
 		test.setTimeout(60_000);
 		await page.goto('/login');
 		await page.getByLabel('Benutzername').fill('reader');
@@ -494,12 +494,10 @@ test.describe('PDF annotations — read-only user', () => {
 		const baseURL = process.env.E2E_BASE_URL ?? 'http://localhost:3000';
 		await page.goto(`${baseURL}/documents/${sharedAnnotationDocId}`);
 		await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
-		// Wait for the PDF canvas — once rendered, the controls bar (with disabled button) is shown.
-		await page.locator('canvas').first().waitFor({ state: 'visible', timeout: 30000 });
 
-		const disabledBtn = page.getByRole('button', { name: /annotieren/i });
-		await expect(disabledBtn).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
-		await expect(disabledBtn).toBeDisabled();
+		// Reader users do not have ANNOTATE_ALL permission — the button must not be shown at all.
+		const annotateBtn = page.getByRole('button', { name: /annotieren/i });
+		await expect(annotateBtn).not.toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
 
 		await page.screenshot({ path: 'test-results/e2e/annotations-button-reader.png' });
 	});