diff --git a/src/test/jtx/Env.h b/src/test/jtx/Env.h
index de6b83362d..2b5397b903 100644
--- a/src/test/jtx/Env.h
+++ b/src/test/jtx/Env.h
@@ -589,13 +589,16 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Return metadata for the last JTx.
-
-        Effects:
-
-            The open ledger is closed as if by a call
-            to close(). The metadata for the last
-            transaction ID, if any, is returned.
-    */
+     *
+     *  NOTE: this has a side effect of closing the open ledger.
+     *  The ledger will only be closed if it includes transactions.
+     *
+     *  Effects:
+     *
+     *      The open ledger is closed as if by a call
+     *      to close(). The metadata for the last
+     *      transaction ID, if any, is returned.
+     */
     std::shared_ptr<STObject const>
     meta();
 
diff --git a/src/test/jtx/impl/Env.cpp b/src/test/jtx/impl/Env.cpp
index ac00d3eed1..e45042e310 100644
--- a/src/test/jtx/impl/Env.cpp
+++ b/src/test/jtx/impl/Env.cpp
@@ -446,7 +446,12 @@ Env::postconditions(
 std::shared_ptr<STObject const>
 Env::meta()
 {
-    close();
+    if (current()->txCount() != 0)
+    {
+        // close the ledger if it has not already been closed
+        // (metadata is not finalized until the ledger is closed)
+        close();
+    }
     auto const item = closed()->txRead(txid_);
     return item.second;
 }