diff --git a/src/nwbinspector/nwbinspector.py b/src/nwbinspector/nwbinspector.py
index 6940e72b0..e8b9bf95f 100644
--- a/src/nwbinspector/nwbinspector.py
+++ b/src/nwbinspector/nwbinspector.py
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ def _intercept_in_vitro(nwbfile_object: pynwb.NWBFile, checks: Optional[list] =
     if (
         any(subject_related_dandi_requirements)
         and subject is not None
-        and getattr(subject, "subject_id", "") == "in_vitro"
+        and getattr(subject, "subject_id", "").startswith("in_vitro_")
     ):
         non_subject_checks = [check for check in checks if check.__name__ not in subject_related_check_names]
         return non_subject_checks
diff --git a/tests/test_inspector.py b/tests/test_inspector.py
index 385f77413..b44aaa8c5 100644
--- a/tests/test_inspector.py
+++ b/tests/test_inspector.py
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 from datetime import datetime
 
 import numpy as np
-import pynwb
 from pynwb import NWBFile, NWBHDF5IO, TimeSeries
-from pynwb.file import TimeIntervals
+from pynwb.file import TimeIntervals, Subject
 from pynwb.behavior import SpatialSeries, Position
+from pynwb.testing.mock.file import mock_NWBFile
 from hdmf.common import DynamicTable
 from natsort import natsorted
 
@@ -731,10 +731,8 @@ def test_check_unique_identifiers_fail(self):
 
 def test_dandi_config_in_vitro_injection():
     """Test that a special subject_id of 'in_vitro' properly excludes meaningless CRITICAL-elevated subject checks."""
-    nwbfile = pynwb.testing.mock.file.mock_NWBFile(
-        subject=pynwb.file.Subject(
-            subject_id="in_vitro", description="A detailed description about the in vitro setup."
-        )
+    nwbfile = mock_NWBFile(
+        subject=Subject(subject_id="in_vitro_CaMPARI3", description="A detailed description about the in vitro setup.")
     )
     config = load_config(filepath_or_keyword="dandi")
     importance_threshold = "CRITICAL"