diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/test/definition.py b/sqlmesh/core/test/definition.py
index a12dafec19..4336e00ce0 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/test/definition.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/test/definition.py
@@ -644,16 +644,16 @@ def _create_df(
             return self._execute(query)
 
         rows = values["rows"]
+        columns_str: t.Optional[t.List[str]] = None
         if columns:
+            columns_str = [str(c) for c in columns]
             referenced_columns = list(dict.fromkeys(col for row in rows for col in row))
             _raise_if_unexpected_columns(columns, referenced_columns)
 
             if partial:
-                columns = referenced_columns
+                columns_str = [c for c in columns_str if c in referenced_columns]
 
-        return pd.DataFrame.from_records(
-            rows, columns=[str(c) for c in columns] if columns else None
-        )
+        return pd.DataFrame.from_records(rows, columns=columns_str)
 
     def _add_missing_columns(
         self, query: exp.Query, all_columns: t.Optional[t.Collection[str]] = None
diff --git a/tests/core/test_test.py b/tests/core/test_test.py
index d889c7bb33..56a44cc955 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_test.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_test.py
@@ -770,6 +770,42 @@ def test_partial_data_column_order(sushi_context: Context) -> None:
         ).run()
     )
 
+    #  - output df must differ if sorted by (id, event_date) vs. (event_date, id)
+    #  - output partial must be true
+    _check_successful_or_raise(
+        _create_test(
+            body=load_yaml(
+                """
+test_foo:
+  model: sushi.foo
+  inputs:
+    sushi.items:
+      - id: 9876
+        event_date: 2020-01-01
+      - id: 1234
+        name: hello
+        event_date: 2020-01-02
+  outputs:
+    partial: true
+    query:
+      - event_date: 2020-01-01
+        id: 9876
+      - event_date: 2020-01-02
+        id: 1234
+        name: hello
+                """
+            ),
+            test_name="test_foo",
+            model=sushi_context.upsert_model(
+                _create_model(
+                    "SELECT id, name, price, event_date FROM sushi.items",
+                    default_catalog=sushi_context.default_catalog,
+                )
+            ),
+            context=sushi_context,
+        ).run()
+    )
+
 
 def test_partial_data_missing_schemas(sushi_context: Context) -> None:
     _check_successful_or_raise(