diff --git a/src/bench/mempool_ephemeral_spends.cpp b/src/bench/mempool_ephemeral_spends.cpp
index f34664a736bee..a8f2efecb93ee 100644
--- a/src/bench/mempool_ephemeral_spends.cpp
+++ b/src/bench/mempool_ephemeral_spends.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ static void MempoolCheckEphemeralSpends(benchmark::Bench& bench)
     }
 
     // Tx with many outputs
-    CMutableTransaction tx1 = CMutableTransaction();
+    CMutableTransaction tx1;
     tx1.vin.resize(1);
     tx1.vout.resize(number_outputs);
     for (size_t i = 0; i < tx1.vout.size(); i++) {
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ static void MempoolCheckEphemeralSpends(benchmark::Bench& bench)
     const auto& parent_txid = tx1.GetHash();
 
     // Spends all outputs of tx1, other details don't matter
-    CMutableTransaction tx2 = CMutableTransaction();
+    CMutableTransaction tx2;
     tx2.vin.resize(tx1.vout.size());
     for (size_t i = 0; i < tx2.vin.size(); i++) {
         tx2.vin[0].prevout.hash = parent_txid;
@@ -74,9 +74,12 @@ static void MempoolCheckEphemeralSpends(benchmark::Bench& bench)
 
     uint32_t iteration{0};
 
+    TxValidationState dummy_state;
+    Txid dummy_txid;
+
     bench.run([&]() NO_THREAD_SAFETY_ANALYSIS {
 
-        CheckEphemeralSpends({tx2_r}, /*dust_relay_rate=*/CFeeRate(iteration * COIN / 10), pool);
+        CheckEphemeralSpends({tx2_r}, /*dust_relay_rate=*/CFeeRate(iteration * COIN / 10), pool, dummy_state, dummy_txid);
         iteration++;
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.cpp b/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.cpp
index 6854822e35129..b7d254dd63045 100644
--- a/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.cpp
+++ b/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.cpp
@@ -2,29 +2,39 @@
 // Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
 // file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
 
+#include <consensus/validation.h>
 #include <policy/ephemeral_policy.h>
+#include <policy/feerate.h>
+#include <policy/packages.h>
 #include <policy/policy.h>
+#include <primitives/transaction.h>
+#include <txmempool.h>
+#include <util/check.h>
+#include <util/hasher.h>
 
-bool HasDust(const CTransactionRef& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate)
-{
-    return std::any_of(tx->vout.cbegin(), tx->vout.cend(), [&](const auto& output) { return IsDust(output, dust_relay_rate); });
-}
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <map>
+#include <memory>
+#include <unordered_set>
+#include <utility>
+#include <vector>
 
-bool CheckValidEphemeralTx(const CTransactionRef& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, CAmount base_fee, CAmount mod_fee, TxValidationState& state)
+bool PreCheckEphemeralTx(const CTransaction& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, CAmount base_fee, CAmount mod_fee, TxValidationState& state)
 {
     // We never want to give incentives to mine this transaction alone
-    if ((base_fee != 0 || mod_fee != 0) && HasDust(tx, dust_relay_rate)) {
+    if ((base_fee != 0 || mod_fee != 0) && !GetDust(tx, dust_relay_rate).empty()) {
         return state.Invalid(TxValidationResult::TX_NOT_STANDARD, "dust", "tx with dust output must be 0-fee");
     }
 
     return true;
 }
 
-std::optional<Txid> CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, const CTxMemPool& tx_pool)
+bool CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, const CTxMemPool& tx_pool, TxValidationState& out_child_state, Txid& out_child_txid)
 {
-    if (!Assume(std::all_of(package.cbegin(), package.cend(), [](const auto& tx){return tx != nullptr;}))) {
+    if (!Assume(std::ranges::all_of(package, [](const auto& tx){return tx != nullptr;}))) {
         // Bail out of spend checks if caller gave us an invalid package
-        return std::nullopt;
+        return true;
     }
 
     std::map<Txid, CTransactionRef> map_txid_ref;
@@ -33,7 +43,6 @@ std::optional<Txid> CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_r
     }
 
     for (const auto& tx : package) {
-        Txid txid = tx->GetHash();
         std::unordered_set<Txid, SaltedTxidHasher> processed_parent_set;
         std::unordered_set<COutPoint, SaltedOutpointHasher> unspent_parent_dust;
 
@@ -63,6 +72,10 @@ std::optional<Txid> CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_r
             processed_parent_set.insert(parent_txid);
         }
 
+        if (unspent_parent_dust.empty()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
         // Now that we have gathered parents' dust, make sure it's spent
         // by the child
         for (const auto& tx_input : tx->vin) {
@@ -70,9 +83,12 @@ std::optional<Txid> CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_r
         }
 
         if (!unspent_parent_dust.empty()) {
-            return txid;
+            out_child_txid = tx->GetHash();
+            out_child_state.Invalid(TxValidationResult::TX_MEMPOOL_POLICY, "missing-ephemeral-spends",
+                                strprintf("tx %s did not spend parent's ephemeral dust", out_child_txid.ToString()));
+            return false;
         }
     }
 
-    return std::nullopt;
+    return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.h b/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.h
index 26140f9a020b9..f9c6e4363e733 100644
--- a/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.h
+++ b/src/policy/ephemeral_policy.h
@@ -5,17 +5,22 @@
 #ifndef BITCOIN_POLICY_EPHEMERAL_POLICY_H
 #define BITCOIN_POLICY_EPHEMERAL_POLICY_H
 
+#include <consensus/amount.h>
 #include <policy/packages.h>
-#include <policy/policy.h>
 #include <primitives/transaction.h>
-#include <txmempool.h>
+
+#include <optional>
+
+class CFeeRate;
+class CTxMemPool;
+class TxValidationState;
 
 /** These utility functions ensure that ephemeral dust is safely
  * created and spent without unduly risking them entering the utxo
  * set.
 
  * This is ensured by requiring:
- * - CheckValidEphemeralTx checks are respected
+ * - PreCheckEphemeralTx checks are respected
  * - The parent has no child (and 0-fee as implied above to disincentivize mining)
  * - OR the parent transaction has exactly one child, and the dust is spent by that child
  *
@@ -34,22 +39,20 @@
  * are the only way to bring fees.
  */
 
-/** Returns true if transaction contains dust */
-bool HasDust(const CTransactionRef& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate);
-
 /* All the following checks are only called if standardness rules are being applied. */
 
 /** Must be called for each transaction once transaction fees are known.
  * Does context-less checks about a single transaction.
- * Returns false if the fee is non-zero and dust exists, populating state. True otherwise.
+ * @returns false if the fee is non-zero and dust exists, populating state. True otherwise.
  */
-bool CheckValidEphemeralTx(const CTransactionRef& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, CAmount base_fee, CAmount mod_fee, TxValidationState& state);
+bool PreCheckEphemeralTx(const CTransaction& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, CAmount base_fee, CAmount mod_fee, TxValidationState& state);
 
 /** Must be called for each transaction(package) if any dust is in the package.
  *  Checks that each transaction's parents have their dust spent by the child,
  *  where parents are either in the mempool or in the package itself.
- *  The function returns std::nullopt if all dust is properly spent, or the txid of the violating child spend.
+ *  Sets out_child_state and out_child_txid on failure.
+ *  @returns true if all dust is properly spent.
  */
-std::optional<Txid> CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, const CTxMemPool& tx_pool);
+bool CheckEphemeralSpends(const Package& package, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate, const CTxMemPool& tx_pool, TxValidationState& out_child_state, Txid& out_child_txid);
 
 #endif // BITCOIN_POLICY_EPHEMERAL_POLICY_H
diff --git a/src/policy/policy.cpp b/src/policy/policy.cpp
index 21c35af5ccbca..ed33692823517 100644
--- a/src/policy/policy.cpp
+++ b/src/policy/policy.cpp
@@ -67,6 +67,15 @@ bool IsDust(const CTxOut& txout, const CFeeRate& dustRelayFeeIn)
     return (txout.nValue < GetDustThreshold(txout, dustRelayFeeIn));
 }
 
+std::vector<uint32_t> GetDust(const CTransaction& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate)
+{
+    std::vector<uint32_t> dust_outputs;
+    for (uint32_t i{0}; i < tx.vout.size(); ++i) {
+        if (IsDust(tx.vout[i], dust_relay_rate)) dust_outputs.push_back(i);
+    }
+    return dust_outputs;
+}
+
 bool IsStandard(const CScript& scriptPubKey, const std::optional<unsigned>& max_datacarrier_bytes, TxoutType& whichType)
 {
     std::vector<std::vector<unsigned char> > vSolutions;
@@ -129,7 +138,6 @@ bool IsStandardTx(const CTransaction& tx, const std::optional<unsigned>& max_dat
     }
 
     unsigned int nDataOut = 0;
-    unsigned int num_dust_outputs{0};
     TxoutType whichType;
     for (const CTxOut& txout : tx.vout) {
         if (!::IsStandard(txout.scriptPubKey, max_datacarrier_bytes, whichType)) {
@@ -142,13 +150,11 @@ bool IsStandardTx(const CTransaction& tx, const std::optional<unsigned>& max_dat
         else if ((whichType == TxoutType::MULTISIG) && (!permit_bare_multisig)) {
             reason = "bare-multisig";
             return false;
-        } else if (IsDust(txout, dust_relay_fee)) {
-            num_dust_outputs++;
         }
     }
 
     // Only MAX_DUST_OUTPUTS_PER_TX dust is permitted(on otherwise valid ephemeral dust)
-    if (num_dust_outputs > MAX_DUST_OUTPUTS_PER_TX) {
+    if (GetDust(tx, dust_relay_fee).size() > MAX_DUST_OUTPUTS_PER_TX) {
         reason = "dust";
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/policy/policy.h b/src/policy/policy.h
index 0488f8dbee86c..4412f2db87ab1 100644
--- a/src/policy/policy.h
+++ b/src/policy/policy.h
@@ -131,6 +131,8 @@ bool IsDust(const CTxOut& txout, const CFeeRate& dustRelayFee);
 
 bool IsStandard(const CScript& scriptPubKey, const std::optional<unsigned>& max_datacarrier_bytes, TxoutType& whichType);
 
+/** Get the vout index numbers of all dust outputs */
+std::vector<uint32_t> GetDust(const CTransaction& tx, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate);
 
 // Changing the default transaction version requires a two step process: first
 // adapting relay policy by bumping TX_MAX_STANDARD_VERSION, and then later
diff --git a/src/rpc/mining.cpp b/src/rpc/mining.cpp
index 006ec3c78c741..3019789d09b0e 100644
--- a/src/rpc/mining.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/mining.cpp
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ static RPCHelpMan prioritisetransaction()
 
     // Non-0 fee dust transactions are not allowed for entry, and modification not allowed afterwards
     const auto& tx = mempool.get(hash);
-    if (tx && HasDust(tx, mempool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate)) {
+    if (mempool.m_opts.require_standard && tx && !GetDust(*tx, mempool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate).empty()) {
         throw JSONRPCError(RPC_INVALID_PARAMETER, "Priority is not supported for transactions with dust outputs.");
     }
 
diff --git a/src/test/fuzz/package_eval.cpp b/src/test/fuzz/package_eval.cpp
index f944170474577..0373d2493fa5f 100644
--- a/src/test/fuzz/package_eval.cpp
+++ b/src/test/fuzz/package_eval.cpp
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ std::optional<COutPoint> GetChildEvictingPrevout(const CTxMemPool& tx_pool)
     LOCK(tx_pool.cs);
     for (const auto& tx_info : tx_pool.infoAll()) {
         const auto& entry = *Assert(tx_pool.GetEntry(tx_info.tx->GetHash()));
-        std::vector<uint32_t> dust_indexes{GetDustIndexes(tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate)};
+        std::vector<uint32_t> dust_indexes{GetDust(*tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate)};
         if (!dust_indexes.empty()) {
             const auto& children = entry.GetMemPoolChildrenConst();
             if (!children.empty()) {
@@ -210,37 +210,33 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
 
     chainstate.SetMempool(&tx_pool);
 
-    LIMITED_WHILE(fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool(), 300)
+    LIMITED_WHILE(fuzzed_data_provider.remaining_bytes() > 0, 300)
     {
         Assert(!mempool_outpoints.empty());
 
         std::vector<CTransactionRef> txs;
 
         // Find something we may want to double-spend with two input single tx
-        std::optional<COutPoint> outpoint_to_rbf{GetChildEvictingPrevout(tx_pool)};
-        bool should_rbf_eph_spend = outpoint_to_rbf && fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool();
+        std::optional<COutPoint> outpoint_to_rbf{fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool() ? GetChildEvictingPrevout(tx_pool) : std::nullopt};
 
         // Make small packages
-        const auto num_txs = should_rbf_eph_spend ? 1 : (size_t) fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 4);
+        const auto num_txs = outpoint_to_rbf ? 1 : (size_t) fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 4);
 
         std::set<COutPoint> package_outpoints;
         while (txs.size() < num_txs) {
-
-            // Last transaction in a package needs to be a child of parents to get further in validation
-            // so the last transaction to be generated(in a >1 package) must spend all package-made outputs
-            // Note that this test currently only spends package outputs in last transaction.
-            bool last_tx = num_txs > 1 && txs.size() == num_txs - 1;
-
             // Create transaction to add to the mempool
-            const CTransactionRef tx = [&] {
+            txs.emplace_back([&] {
                 CMutableTransaction tx_mut;
                 tx_mut.version = CTransaction::CURRENT_VERSION;
                 tx_mut.nLockTime = 0;
-                // Last tx will sweep half or more of all outpoints from package
-                const auto num_in = should_rbf_eph_spend ? 2 :
+                // Last transaction in a package needs to be a child of parents to get further in validation
+                // so the last transaction to be generated(in a >1 package) must spend all package-made outputs
+                // Note that this test currently only spends package outputs in last transaction.
+                bool last_tx = num_txs > 1 && txs.size() == num_txs - 1;
+                const auto num_in = outpoint_to_rbf ? 2 :
                     last_tx ? fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(package_outpoints.size()/2 + 1, package_outpoints.size()) :
                     fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 4);
-                auto num_out = should_rbf_eph_spend ? 1 : fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 4);
+                const auto num_out = outpoint_to_rbf ? 1 : fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 4);
 
                 auto& outpoints = last_tx ? package_outpoints : mempool_outpoints;
 
@@ -248,12 +244,13 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
 
                 CAmount amount_in{0};
                 for (int i = 0; i < num_in; ++i) {
-                    // Pop random outpoint
+                    // Pop random outpoint. We erase them to avoid double-spending
+                    // while in this loop, but later add them back (unless last_tx).
                     auto pop = outpoints.begin();
                     std::advance(pop, fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<size_t>(0, outpoints.size() - 1));
                     auto outpoint = *pop;
 
-                    if (i == 0 && should_rbf_eph_spend) {
+                    if (i == 0 && outpoint_to_rbf) {
                         outpoint = *outpoint_to_rbf;
                         outpoints.erase(outpoint);
                     } else {
@@ -277,7 +274,7 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
                 }
 
                 // Note output amounts can naturally drop to dust on their own.
-                if (!should_rbf_eph_spend && fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool()) {
+                if (!outpoint_to_rbf && fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool()) {
                     uint32_t dust_index = fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<uint32_t>(0, num_out);
                     tx_mut.vout.insert(tx_mut.vout.begin() + dust_index, CTxOut(0, P2WSH_EMPTY));
                 }
@@ -298,8 +295,7 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
                     outpoints_value[COutPoint(tx->GetHash(), i)] = tx->vout[i].nValue;
                 }
                 return tx;
-            }();
-            txs.push_back(tx);
+            }());
         }
 
         if (fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool()) {
@@ -308,20 +304,15 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
                                    PickValue(fuzzed_data_provider, mempool_outpoints).hash;
             const auto delta = fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<CAmount>(-50 * COIN, +50 * COIN);
             // We only prioritise out of mempool transactions since PrioritiseTransaction doesn't
-            // filter for ephemeral dust GetEntry
+            // filter for ephemeral dust
             if (tx_pool.exists(GenTxid::Txid(txid))) {
                 const auto tx_info{tx_pool.info(GenTxid::Txid(txid))};
-                if (GetDustIndexes(tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate).empty()) {
+                if (GetDust(*tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate).empty()) {
                     tx_pool.PrioritiseTransaction(txid.ToUint256(), delta);
                 }
             }
         }
 
-        // Remember all added transactions
-        std::set<CTransactionRef> added;
-        auto txr = std::make_shared<TransactionsDelta>(added);
-        node.validation_signals->RegisterSharedValidationInterface(txr);
-
         auto single_submit = txs.size() == 1;
 
         const auto result_package = WITH_LOCK(::cs_main,
@@ -339,7 +330,6 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(ephemeral_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
         }
 
         node.validation_signals->SyncWithValidationInterfaceQueue();
-        node.validation_signals->UnregisterSharedValidationInterface(txr);
 
         CheckMempoolEphemeralInvariants(tx_pool);
     }
@@ -374,7 +364,7 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(tx_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
 
     chainstate.SetMempool(&tx_pool);
 
-    LIMITED_WHILE(fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool(), 300)
+    LIMITED_WHILE(fuzzed_data_provider.remaining_bytes() > 0, 300)
     {
         Assert(!mempool_outpoints.empty());
 
@@ -384,18 +374,15 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(tx_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
         const auto num_txs = (size_t) fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, 26);
         std::set<COutPoint> package_outpoints;
         while (txs.size() < num_txs) {
-
-            // Last transaction in a package needs to be a child of parents to get further in validation
-            // so the last transaction to be generated(in a >1 package) must spend all package-made outputs
-            // Note that this test currently only spends package outputs in last transaction.
-            bool last_tx = num_txs > 1 && txs.size() == num_txs - 1;
-
             // Create transaction to add to the mempool
-            const CTransactionRef tx = [&] {
+            txs.emplace_back([&] {
                 CMutableTransaction tx_mut;
                 tx_mut.version = fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool() ? TRUC_VERSION : CTransaction::CURRENT_VERSION;
                 tx_mut.nLockTime = fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool() ? 0 : fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegral<uint32_t>();
-                // Last tx will sweep all outpoints in package
+                // Last transaction in a package needs to be a child of parents to get further in validation
+                // so the last transaction to be generated(in a >1 package) must spend all package-made outputs
+                // Note that this test currently only spends package outputs in last transaction.
+                bool last_tx = num_txs > 1 && txs.size() == num_txs - 1;
                 const auto num_in = last_tx ? package_outpoints.size()  : fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, mempool_outpoints.size());
                 auto num_out = fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<int>(1, mempool_outpoints.size() * 2);
 
@@ -405,7 +392,8 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(tx_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
 
                 CAmount amount_in{0};
                 for (size_t i = 0; i < num_in; ++i) {
-                    // Pop random outpoint
+                    // Pop random outpoint. We erase them to avoid double-spending
+                    // while in this loop, but later add them back (unless last_tx).
                     auto pop = outpoints.begin();
                     std::advance(pop, fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeIntegralInRange<size_t>(0, outpoints.size() - 1));
                     const auto outpoint = *pop;
@@ -468,8 +456,7 @@ FUZZ_TARGET(tx_package_eval, .init = initialize_tx_pool)
                     outpoints_value[COutPoint(tx->GetHash(), i)] = tx->vout[i].nValue;
                 }
                 return tx;
-            }();
-            txs.push_back(tx);
+            }());
         }
 
         if (fuzzed_data_provider.ConsumeBool()) {
diff --git a/src/test/transaction_tests.cpp b/src/test/transaction_tests.cpp
index 3e4c085c0edba..f38c015f6d7ab 100644
--- a/src/test/transaction_tests.cpp
+++ b/src/test/transaction_tests.cpp
@@ -814,9 +814,11 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_IsStandard)
     CAmount nDustThreshold = 182 * g_dust.GetFeePerK() / 1000;
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(nDustThreshold, 546);
 
-    // Add dust output to take dust slot, still standard!
-    t.vout.emplace_back(0, t.vout[0].scriptPubKey);
-    CheckIsStandard(t);
+    // Add dust outputs up to allowed maximum, still standard!
+    for (size_t i{0}; i < MAX_DUST_OUTPUTS_PER_TX; ++i) {
+        t.vout.emplace_back(0, t.vout[0].scriptPubKey);
+        CheckIsStandard(t);
+    }
 
     // dust:
     t.vout[0].nValue = nDustThreshold - 1;
@@ -974,9 +976,9 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_IsStandard)
     CheckIsNotStandard(t, "bare-multisig");
     g_bare_multi = DEFAULT_PERMIT_BAREMULTISIG;
 
-    // Add dust output to take dust slot
+    // Add dust outputs up to allowed maximum
     assert(t.vout.size() == 1);
-    t.vout.emplace_back(0, t.vout[0].scriptPubKey);
+    t.vout.insert(t.vout.end(), MAX_DUST_OUTPUTS_PER_TX, {0, t.vout[0].scriptPubKey});
 
     // Check compressed P2PK outputs dust threshold (must have leading 02 or 03)
     t.vout[0].scriptPubKey = CScript() << std::vector<unsigned char>(33, 0x02) << OP_CHECKSIG;
diff --git a/src/test/txvalidation_tests.cpp b/src/test/txvalidation_tests.cpp
index 28afac0248f17..54d94b3ce4a3d 100644
--- a/src/test/txvalidation_tests.cpp
+++ b/src/test/txvalidation_tests.cpp
@@ -90,19 +90,22 @@ static inline CTransactionRef make_tx(const std::vector<COutPoint>& inputs, int3
     return MakeTransactionRef(mtx);
 }
 
+static constexpr auto NUM_EPHEMERAL_TX_OUTPUTS = 3;
+static constexpr auto EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX = NUM_EPHEMERAL_TX_OUTPUTS - 1;
+
 // Same as make_tx but adds 2 normal outputs and 0-value dust to end of vout
 static inline CTransactionRef make_ephemeral_tx(const std::vector<COutPoint>& inputs, int32_t version)
 {
     CMutableTransaction mtx = CMutableTransaction{};
     mtx.version = version;
     mtx.vin.resize(inputs.size());
-    mtx.vout.resize(3);
     for (size_t i{0}; i < inputs.size(); ++i) {
         mtx.vin[i].prevout = inputs[i];
     }
-    for (auto i{0}; i < 3; ++i) {
+    mtx.vout.resize(NUM_EPHEMERAL_TX_OUTPUTS);
+    for (auto i{0}; i < NUM_EPHEMERAL_TX_OUTPUTS; ++i) {
         mtx.vout[i].scriptPubKey = CScript() << OP_TRUE;
-        mtx.vout[i].nValue = (i == 2) ? 0 : 10000;
+        mtx.vout[i].nValue = (i == EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX) ? 0 : 10000;
     }
     return MakeTransactionRef(mtx);
 }
@@ -114,99 +117,159 @@ BOOST_FIXTURE_TEST_CASE(ephemeral_tests, RegTestingSetup)
     TestMemPoolEntryHelper entry;
     CTxMemPool::setEntries empty_ancestors;
 
-    CFeeRate minrelay(1000);
+    TxValidationState child_state;
+    Txid child_txid;
+
+    // Arbitrary non-0 feerate for these tests
+    CFeeRate dustrelay(DUST_RELAY_TX_FEE);
 
     // Basic transaction with dust
     auto grandparent_tx_1 = make_ephemeral_tx(random_outpoints(1), /*version=*/2);
     const auto dust_txid = grandparent_tx_1->GetHash();
 
-    uint32_t dust_index = 2;
-
     // Child transaction spending dust
-    auto dust_spend = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, dust_index}}, /*version=*/2);
+    auto dust_spend = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}}, /*version=*/2);
 
     // We first start with nothing "in the mempool", using package checks
 
     // Trivial single transaction with no dust
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({dust_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({dust_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Now with dust, ok because the tx has no dusty parents
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Dust checks pass
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend}, CFeeRate(0), pool).has_value());
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend}, CFeeRate(0), pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
-    auto dust_non_spend = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, dust_index - 1}}, /*version=*/2);
+    auto dust_non_spend = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX - 1}}, /*version=*/2);
 
     // Child spending non-dust only from parent should be disallowed even if dust otherwise spent
-    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_non_spend, dust_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
-    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend, dust_non_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
-    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_non_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    const auto dust_non_spend_txid{dust_non_spend->GetHash()};
+    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_non_spend, dust_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, dust_non_spend_txid);
+    child_state = TxValidationState();
+    child_txid = Txid();
+
+    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_spend, dust_non_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, dust_non_spend_txid);
+    child_state = TxValidationState();
+    child_txid = Txid();
+
+    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, dust_non_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, dust_non_spend_txid);
+    child_state = TxValidationState();
+    child_txid = Txid();
 
     auto grandparent_tx_2 = make_ephemeral_tx(random_outpoints(1), /*version=*/2);
     const auto dust_txid_2 = grandparent_tx_2->GetHash();
 
     // Spend dust from one but not another is ok, as long as second grandparent has no child
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
-    auto dust_non_spend_both_parents = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, dust_index}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, dust_index - 1}}, /*version=*/2);
+    auto dust_non_spend_both_parents = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX - 1}}, /*version=*/2);
     // But if we spend from the parent, it must spend dust
-    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_non_spend_both_parents}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_non_spend_both_parents}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, dust_non_spend_both_parents->GetHash());
+    child_state = TxValidationState();
+    child_txid = Txid();
 
-    auto dust_spend_both_parents = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, dust_index}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, dust_index}}, /*version=*/2);
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend_both_parents}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    auto dust_spend_both_parents = make_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}}, /*version=*/2);
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend_both_parents}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Spending other outputs is also correct, as long as the dusty one is spent
     const std::vector<COutPoint> all_outpoints{COutPoint(dust_txid, 0), COutPoint(dust_txid, 1), COutPoint(dust_txid, 2),
         COutPoint(dust_txid_2, 0), COutPoint(dust_txid_2, 1), COutPoint(dust_txid_2, 2)};
     auto dust_spend_all_outpoints = make_tx(all_outpoints, /*version=*/2);
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend_all_outpoints}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, dust_spend_all_outpoints}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // 2 grandparents with dust <- 1 dust-spending parent with dust <- child with no dust
-    auto parent_with_dust = make_ephemeral_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, dust_index}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, dust_index}}, /*version=*/2);
+    auto parent_with_dust = make_ephemeral_tx({COutPoint{dust_txid, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}, COutPoint{dust_txid_2, EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}}, /*version=*/2);
     // Ok for parent to have dust
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
-    auto child_no_dust = make_tx({COutPoint{parent_with_dust->GetHash(), dust_index}}, /*version=*/2);
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust, child_no_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
+    auto child_no_dust = make_tx({COutPoint{parent_with_dust->GetHash(), EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}}, /*version=*/2);
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust, child_no_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // 2 grandparents with dust <- 1 dust-spending parent with dust <- child with dust
-    auto child_with_dust = make_ephemeral_tx({COutPoint{parent_with_dust->GetHash(), dust_index}}, /*version=*/2);
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust, child_with_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    auto child_with_dust = make_ephemeral_tx({COutPoint{parent_with_dust->GetHash(), EPHEMERAL_DUST_INDEX}}, /*version=*/2);
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1, grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust, child_with_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Tests with parents in mempool
 
     // Nothing in mempool, this should pass for any transaction
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_1}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Add first grandparent to mempool and fetch entry
     AddToMempool(pool, entry.FromTx(grandparent_tx_1));
 
     // Ignores ancestors that aren't direct parents
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({child_no_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({child_no_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Valid spend of dust with grandparent in mempool
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Second grandparent in same package
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust, grandparent_tx_2}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust, grandparent_tx_2}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
+
     // Order in package doesn't matter
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({grandparent_tx_2, parent_with_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Add second grandparent to mempool
     AddToMempool(pool, entry.FromTx(grandparent_tx_2));
 
     // Only spends single dust out of two direct parents
-    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({dust_non_spend_both_parents}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({dust_non_spend_both_parents}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, dust_non_spend_both_parents->GetHash());
+    child_state = TxValidationState();
+    child_txid = Txid();
 
     // Spends both parents' dust
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({parent_with_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 
     // Now add dusty parent to mempool
     AddToMempool(pool, entry.FromTx(parent_with_dust));
 
     // Passes dust checks even with non-parent ancestors
-    BOOST_CHECK(!CheckEphemeralSpends({child_no_dust}, minrelay, pool).has_value());
+    BOOST_CHECK(CheckEphemeralSpends({child_no_dust}, dustrelay, pool, child_state, child_txid));
+    BOOST_CHECK(child_state.IsValid());
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(child_txid, Txid());
 }
 
 BOOST_FIXTURE_TEST_CASE(version3_tests, RegTestingSetup)
diff --git a/src/test/util/txmempool.cpp b/src/test/util/txmempool.cpp
index ae0493467bedf..f1ca33bec7859 100644
--- a/src/test/util/txmempool.cpp
+++ b/src/test/util/txmempool.cpp
@@ -141,24 +141,13 @@ std::optional<std::string> CheckPackageMempoolAcceptResult(const Package& txns,
     return std::nullopt;
 }
 
-std::vector<uint32_t> GetDustIndexes(const CTransactionRef& tx_ref, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate)
-{
-    std::vector<uint32_t> dust_indexes;
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < tx_ref->vout.size(); ++i) {
-        const auto& output = tx_ref->vout[i];
-        if (IsDust(output, dust_relay_rate)) dust_indexes.push_back(i);
-    }
-
-    return dust_indexes;
-}
-
 void CheckMempoolEphemeralInvariants(const CTxMemPool& tx_pool)
 {
     LOCK(tx_pool.cs);
     for (const auto& tx_info : tx_pool.infoAll()) {
         const auto& entry = *Assert(tx_pool.GetEntry(tx_info.tx->GetHash()));
 
-        std::vector<uint32_t> dust_indexes = GetDustIndexes(tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate);
+        std::vector<uint32_t> dust_indexes = GetDust(*tx_info.tx, tx_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate);
 
         Assert(dust_indexes.size() < 2);
 
diff --git a/src/test/util/txmempool.h b/src/test/util/txmempool.h
index 3c2841db91991..36caad2ae1abc 100644
--- a/src/test/util/txmempool.h
+++ b/src/test/util/txmempool.h
@@ -54,11 +54,6 @@ std::optional<std::string>  CheckPackageMempoolAcceptResult(const Package& txns,
 */
 void CheckMempoolEphemeralInvariants(const CTxMemPool& tx_pool);
 
-/** Return indexes of the transaction's outputs that are considered dust
- * at given dust_relay_rate.
-*/
-std::vector<uint32_t> GetDustIndexes(const CTransactionRef& tx_ref, CFeeRate dust_relay_rate);
-
 /** For every transaction in tx_pool, check TRUC invariants:
  * - a TRUC tx's ancestor count must be within TRUC_ANCESTOR_LIMIT
  * - a TRUC tx's descendant count must be within TRUC_DESCENDANT_LIMIT
diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
index ed9758365caf0..95f3bc58d7d82 100644
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -913,8 +913,8 @@ bool MemPoolAccept::PreChecks(ATMPArgs& args, Workspace& ws)
 
     // Enforces 0-fee for dust transactions, no incentive to be mined alone
     if (m_pool.m_opts.require_standard) {
-        if (!CheckValidEphemeralTx(ptx, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, ws.m_base_fees, ws.m_modified_fees, state)) {
-            return false; // state filled in by CheckValidEphemeralTx
+        if (!PreCheckEphemeralTx(*ptx, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, ws.m_base_fees, ws.m_modified_fees, state)) {
+            return false; // state filled in by PreCheckEphemeralTx
         }
     }
 
@@ -1436,11 +1436,8 @@ MempoolAcceptResult MemPoolAccept::AcceptSingleTransaction(const CTransactionRef
     }
 
     if (m_pool.m_opts.require_standard) {
-        if (const auto ephemeral_violation{CheckEphemeralSpends(/*package=*/{ptx}, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, m_pool)}) {
-            const Txid& txid = ephemeral_violation.value();
-            Assume(txid == ptx->GetHash());
-            ws.m_state.Invalid(TxValidationResult::TX_MEMPOOL_POLICY, "missing-ephemeral-spends",
-                          strprintf("tx %s did not spend parent's ephemeral dust", txid.ToString()));
+        Txid dummy_txid;
+        if (!CheckEphemeralSpends(/*package=*/{ptx}, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, m_pool, ws.m_state, dummy_txid)) {
             return MempoolAcceptResult::Failure(ws.m_state);
         }
     }
@@ -1592,11 +1589,9 @@ PackageMempoolAcceptResult MemPoolAccept::AcceptMultipleTransactions(const std::
 
     // Now that we've bounded the resulting possible ancestry count, check package for dust spends
     if (m_pool.m_opts.require_standard) {
-        if (const auto ephemeral_violation{CheckEphemeralSpends(txns, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, m_pool)}) {
-            const Txid& child_txid = ephemeral_violation.value();
-            TxValidationState child_state;
-            child_state.Invalid(TxValidationResult::TX_MEMPOOL_POLICY, "missing-ephemeral-spends",
-                          strprintf("tx %s did not spend parent's ephemeral dust", child_txid.ToString()));
+        TxValidationState child_state;
+        Txid child_txid;
+        if (!CheckEphemeralSpends(txns, m_pool.m_opts.dust_relay_feerate, m_pool, child_state, child_txid)) {
             package_state.Invalid(PackageValidationResult::PCKG_TX, "unspent-dust");
             results.emplace(child_txid, MempoolAcceptResult::Failure(child_state));
             return PackageMempoolAcceptResult(package_state, std::move(results));
diff --git a/test/functional/mempool_dust.py b/test/functional/mempool_dust.py
index bc9a12fb603e4..937e77fbd41ba 100755
--- a/test/functional/mempool_dust.py
+++ b/test/functional/mempool_dust.py
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ def test_dustrelay(self):
 
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getrawmempool(), [])
 
-        # Double dust, both unspent, with fees. Would have failed individual checks.
-        # Dust is 1 satoshi create_self_transfer_multi disallows 0
+        # Create two dust outputs. Transaction has zero fees. both dust outputs are unspent, and would have failed individual checks.
+        # The amount is 1 satoshi because create_self_transfer_multi disallows 0.
         dusty_tx = self.wallet.create_self_transfer_multi(fee_per_output=1000, amount_per_output=1, num_outputs=2)
         dust_txid = self.nodes[0].sendrawtransaction(hexstring=dusty_tx["hex"], maxfeerate=0)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/mempool_ephemeral_dust.py b/test/functional/mempool_ephemeral_dust.py
index 75c98ce0f89c7..3e0cbabeec021 100755
--- a/test/functional/mempool_ephemeral_dust.py
+++ b/test/functional/mempool_ephemeral_dust.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def run_test(self):
         self.test_non_truc()
         self.test_unspent_ephemeral()
         self.test_reorgs()
-        self.test_free_relay()
+        self.test_no_minrelay_fee()
 
     def test_normal_dust(self):
         self.log.info("Create 0-value dusty output, show that it works inside truc when spent in package")
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ def test_reorgs(self):
         self.nodes[0].invalidateblock(block_res["hash"])
         assert_mempool_contents(self, self.nodes[0], expected=[dusty_tx["tx"]], sync=False)
 
-        # Also should happen if dust is swept
+        # Should re-enter if dust is swept
         sweep_tx_2 = self.wallet.create_self_transfer_multi(fee_per_output=0, utxos_to_spend=dusty_tx["new_utxos"], version=3)
         self.add_output_to_create_multi_result(sweep_tx_2)
         assert_raises_rpc_error(-26, "min relay fee not met", self.nodes[0].sendrawtransaction, sweep_tx_2["hex"])
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ def test_reorgs(self):
         self.sync_all()
 
     # N.B. this extra_args can be removed post cluster mempool
-    def test_free_relay(self):
+    def test_no_minrelay_fee(self):
         self.log.info("Test that ephemeral dust works in non-TRUC contexts when there's no minrelay requirement")
 
         # Note: since minrelay is 0, it is not testing 1P1C relay
@@ -462,15 +462,17 @@ def test_free_relay(self):
         # Sweeps all dust, where all dusty txs are already in-mempool
         sweep_tx = self.wallet.create_self_transfer_multi(fee_per_output=25000, utxos_to_spend=all_parent_utxos, version=2)
 
+        # N.B. Since we have multiple parents these are not propagating via 1P1C relay.
+        # minrelay being zero allows them to propagate on their own.
         res = self.nodes[0].submitpackage([dusty_tx["hex"] for dusty_tx in dusty_txs] + [sweep_tx["hex"]])
         assert_equal(res['package_msg'], "success")
         assert_mempool_contents(self, self.nodes[0], expected=[dusty_tx["tx"] for dusty_tx in dusty_txs] + [sweep_tx["tx"], cancel_sweep["tx"]])
 
-        self.generate(self.nodes[0], 25)
+        self.generate(self.nodes[0], 1)
         self.wallet.rescan_utxos()
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getrawmempool(), [])
 
-        # Other topology tests require relaxation of submitpackage topology
+        # Other topology tests (e.g., grandparents and parents both with dust) require relaxation of submitpackage topology
 
         self.restart_node(0, extra_args=[])
         self.restart_node(1, extra_args=[])
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/mempool_util.py b/test/functional/test_framework/mempool_util.py
index e04ae914ccfd9..0e9c821e2ead9 100644
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/mempool_util.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/mempool_util.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ def assert_mempool_contents(test_framework, node, expected=None, sync=True):
         test_framework.sync_mempools()
     if not expected:
         expected = []
+    assert_equal(len(expected), len(set(expected)))
     mempool = node.getrawmempool(verbose=False)
     assert_equal(len(mempool), len(expected))
     for tx in expected: