diff --git a/tests/e2e/scenarios/keypair-rotation/run-test.sh b/tests/e2e/scenarios/keypair-rotation/run-test.sh
index 5fba13fdc1..204cefaa24 100755
--- a/tests/e2e/scenarios/keypair-rotation/run-test.sh
+++ b/tests/e2e/scenarios/keypair-rotation/run-test.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ source "${REPO_ROOT}"/tests/e2e/scenarios/lib/common.sh
 
 kops-acquire-latest
 
-OVERRIDES="${OVERRIDES} --master-size=t4g.medium --node-size=t4g.medium"
+OVERRIDES="${OVERRIDES-} --master-size=t4g.medium --node-size=t4g.medium"
 
 kops-up