diff --git a/hooks/utils.py b/hooks/utils.py
index 8397ac8..b861162 100644
--- a/hooks/utils.py
+++ b/hooks/utils.py
@@ -256,10 +256,10 @@ def check_optional_config_and_relations(configs):
                                  "resolve."
                     if (len(zonegroups) > 1 and
                             config('zonegroup') not in zonegroups):
-                        return('blocked', status_msg)
+                        return ('blocked', status_msg)
 
                     if len(zones) > 1 and config('zone') not in zones:
-                        return('blocked', status_msg)
+                        return ('blocked', status_msg)
 
                     if not all(master_configured):
                         return ('blocked', "Failure in Multisite migration, "
diff --git a/test-requirements.txt b/test-requirements.txt
index 59f3cbd..c2b3d81 100644
--- a/test-requirements.txt
+++ b/test-requirements.txt
@@ -30,3 +30,6 @@ git+https://opendev.org/openstack/tempest.git#egg=tempest
 
 croniter            # needed for charm-rabbitmq-server unit tests
 psutil
+
+# https://github.com/boto/boto3/issues/4392
+boto3<1.36.0
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 8fb436a..c1b3ec4 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ deps =
 basepython = python3
 deps =
     -c {env:TEST_CONSTRAINTS_FILE:https://raw.githubusercontent.com/openstack-charmers/zaza-openstack-tests/master/constraints/constraints-noble.txt}
-    flake8==3.9.2
+    flake8
     git+https://github.com/juju/charm-tools.git
 commands = flake8 {posargs} hooks unit_tests tests actions lib files
            charm-proof