diff --git a/tests/e2e/scenarios/upgrade-ab/run-test.sh b/tests/e2e/scenarios/upgrade-ab/run-test.sh
index b0c7951b9b..ff3687ddc5 100755
--- a/tests/e2e/scenarios/upgrade-ab/run-test.sh
+++ b/tests/e2e/scenarios/upgrade-ab/run-test.sh
@@ -83,6 +83,11 @@ if [[ ${KOPS_IRSA-} = true ]]; then
   create_args="${create_args} --discovery-store=${DISCOVERY_STORE}/${CLUSTER_NAME}/discovery"
 fi
 
+# TODO: remove once we stop testing upgrades from kops <1.29
+if [[ "${CLUSTER_NAME}" == "*tests-kops-aws.k8s.io" && "${KOPS_VERSION_A}" =~ v1.2[678].* ]]; then
+  create_args="${create_args} --dns=none"
+fi
+
 # TODO: Switch scripts to use KOPS_CONTROL_PLANE_COUNT
 if [[ -n "${KOPS_CONTROL_PLANE_SIZE:-}" ]]; then
   echo "Recognized (deprecated) KOPS_CONTROL_PLANE_SIZE=${KOPS_CONTROL_PLANE_SIZE}, please set KOPS_CONTROL_PLANE_COUNT instead"