diff --git a/thunder/dynamo/utils.py b/thunder/dynamo/utils.py
index b4b83fb028..0244975fa0 100644
--- a/thunder/dynamo/utils.py
+++ b/thunder/dynamo/utils.py
@@ -332,8 +332,8 @@ def is_node_supported_by_thunder(node: torch.fx.Node) -> tuple[bool, SplitReason
     if target is torch.ops.higher_order.tag_activation_checkpoint:
         m = node.graph.owning_module
         assert hasattr(m, node.args[0].name)
-        higher_order_module = getattr(m, node.args[0].name)
-        is_module_supported, split_reason = is_graphmodule_supported_by_thunder(higher_order_module)
+        checkpointed_fn = getattr(m, node.args[0].name)
+        is_module_supported, split_reason = is_graphmodule_supported_by_thunder(checkpointed_fn)
         return is_module_supported, split_reason
 
     # If thunder has a mapping for this operation, try executing the meta function and see.
diff --git a/thunder/tests/test_dynamo.py b/thunder/tests/test_dynamo.py
index e5733652c1..a3f76e2ca4 100644
--- a/thunder/tests/test_dynamo.py
+++ b/thunder/tests/test_dynamo.py
@@ -574,10 +574,10 @@ def forward(self, x):
     out = jf(x)
     torch.testing.assert_close(ref_out, out)
 
-    g = torch.ones_like(out)
+    g = torch.randn_like(out)
     out.backward(g)
 
-    ref_g = torch.ones_like(ref_out)
+    ref_g = g.clone()
     ref_out.backward(ref_g)
     torch.testing.assert_close(x.grad, x_ref.grad)
     torch.testing.assert_close(tuple(model.parameters()), tuple(ref_model.parameters()))