diff --git a/packages/e2e-test/src/commands/run.ts b/packages/e2e-test/src/commands/run.ts
index 161109267b..b6758616e9 100644
--- a/packages/e2e-test/src/commands/run.ts
+++ b/packages/e2e-test/src/commands/run.ts
@@ -502,6 +502,8 @@ async function testBackendStart(appDir: string, ...args: string[]) {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       GITHUB_TOKEN: 'abc',
+      // TODO: Default auth policy is disabled for e2e tests - replace this with external service auth
+      APP_CONFIG_backend_auth_dangerouslyDisableDefaultAuthPolicy: 'true',
     },
   });