diff --git a/pkg/testing/ess/create_deployment_request.tmpl.json b/pkg/testing/ess/create_deployment_request.tmpl.json
index 4c72cfce337..561b40c9428 100644
--- a/pkg/testing/ess/create_deployment_request.tmpl.json
+++ b/pkg/testing/ess/create_deployment_request.tmpl.json
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@
             "version": "{{ .request.Version }}",
             "user_settings_json": {
               "xpack.fleet.enableExperimental": ["agentTamperProtectionEnabled"],
-              "xpack.fleet.internal.registry.kibanaVersionCheckEnabled": false
+              "xpack.fleet.internal.registry.kibanaVersionCheckEnabled": false,
+              "server.restrictInternalApis": false
             }
           }
         },