diff --git a/test/testrig/base.go b/test/testrig/base.go
index 08a3f6737..ab81327da 100644
--- a/test/testrig/base.go
+++ b/test/testrig/base.go
@@ -66,9 +66,11 @@ func CreateBaseDendrite(t *testing.T, dbType test.DBType) (*base.BaseDendrite, f
 	case test.DBTypeSQLite:
 		cfg.Defaults(config.DefaultOpts{
 			Generate:   true,
-			Monolithic: false, // because we need a database per component
+			Monolithic: true,
 		})
 		cfg.Global.ServerName = "test"
+
+		// Configure each components db connection to be unique so tests can run in parallel
 		connStr, _ := test.PrepareDBConnectionString(t, dbType)
 		cfg.FederationAPI.Database.ConnectionString = config.DataSource(connStr)
 		connStr, _ = test.PrepareDBConnectionString(t, dbType)
@@ -85,6 +87,7 @@ func CreateBaseDendrite(t *testing.T, dbType test.DBType) (*base.BaseDendrite, f
 		cfg.UserAPI.AccountDatabase.ConnectionString = config.DataSource(connStr)
 		connStr, _ = test.PrepareDBConnectionString(t, dbType)
 		cfg.RelayAPI.Database.ConnectionString = config.DataSource(connStr)
+
 		// use a distinct prefix else concurrent postgres/sqlite runs will clash since NATS will use
 		// the file system event with InMemory=true :(
 		cfg.Global.JetStream.TopicPrefix = fmt.Sprintf("Test_%d_", dbType)