diff --git a/tests/unit/test_fmha_v3_stage_c_full.py b/tests/unit/test_fmha_v3_stage_c_full.py
index 235b44a9..57022f2e 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_fmha_v3_stage_c_full.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_fmha_v3_stage_c_full.py
@@ -205,10 +205,9 @@ class FmhaV3StageC:
             cute.copy(tma_q, tAgQ[(None, Int32(0))], tAsQ[(None, qh.index)], tma_bar_ptr=qh.barrier)
             qp.tail()
             kvp.reset(); pk = kvp.try_acquire()
-            # Python range() unrolls at trace time. Each iteration emits a
-            # separate cute.copy with a distinct compile-time Int32 constant.
-            # We proved Int32(1) hardcoded works — by induction Int32(k) works.
-            for kt in range(self.n_kv_tiles):
+            # Use cutlass.range with Python int n_kv_tiles for proper pipeline
+            # semantics (acquire/release). Wrap kt in Int32() for TMA coordinate.
+            for kt in cutlass.range(self.n_kv_tiles, unroll=1):
                 coord = Int32(kt)
                 kvh = kvp.acquire_and_advance(pk)
                 cute.copy(tma_k, tBgK[(None, coord)], tBsK[(None, kvh.index)], tma_bar_ptr=kvh.barrier)