diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 4ecb8ff7a2..d215ff3f2f 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -57,6 +57,15 @@ updates:
       interval: "daily"
     open-pull-requests-limit: 10
 
+  - package-ecosystem: "gradle"
+    # need to scope gradle dependency updates down in this repo because most of the instrumentations
+    # intentionally test against old library versions
+    directory: "/smoke-tests"
+    rebase-strategy: "disabled"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "daily"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 10
+
   - package-ecosystem: "gradle"
     # need to scope gradle dependency updates down in this repo because most of the instrumentations
     # intentionally test against old library versions