diff --git a/examples/fastapi-background-tasks/app/main.py b/examples/fastapi-background-tasks/app/main.py
index 7c2f03ab..86fd8fb7 100644
--- a/examples/fastapi-background-tasks/app/main.py
+++ b/examples/fastapi-background-tasks/app/main.py
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@
 @app.middleware("http")
 async def send_done_message(request, call_next):
     response = await call_next(request)
-    background_task.done()
+    # only Lambda invokes carry this header; skip readiness checks
+    if "x-amzn-lambda-context" in request.headers:
+        background_task.done()
     return response
 
 def mock_task(seconds):