diff --git a/tests/fields/fields.py b/tests/fields/fields.py
index b77ba753..49e9508c 100644
--- a/tests/fields/fields.py
+++ b/tests/fields/fields.py
@@ -1026,21 +1026,16 @@ class FieldTest(MongoDBTestCase):
                     foo.save()
                 self.assertIn("List is too long", str(cm.exception))
 
-    def test_list_field_max_length(self):
-        """Ensure ListField's max_length is respected."""
+    def test_list_field_max_length_set_operator(self):
+        """Ensure ListField's max_length is respected for a "set" operator."""
 
         class Foo(Document):
-            items = ListField(IntField(), max_length=5)
+            items = ListField(IntField(), max_length=3)
 
-        foo = Foo()
-        for i in range(1, 7):
-            foo.items.append(i)
-            if i < 6:
-                foo.save()
-            else:
-                with self.assertRaises(ValidationError) as cm:
-                    foo.save()
-                self.assertIn("List is too long", str(cm.exception))
+        foo = Foo.objects.create(items=[1, 2, 3])
+        with self.assertRaises(ValidationError) as cm:
+            foo.modify(set__items=[1, 2, 3, 4])
+        self.assertIn("List is too long", str(cm.exception))
 
     def test_list_field_rejects_strings(self):
         """Strings aren't valid list field data types."""