diff --git a/nixos/tests/installed-tests/flatpak.nix b/nixos/tests/installed-tests/flatpak.nix
index 6b83d006f162b7..8aeeaca90f614f 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/installed-tests/flatpak.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/installed-tests/flatpak.nix
@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ makeInstalledTest {
   withX11 = true;
 
   testConfig = {
-    services.xserver.desktopManager.gnome3.enable = true; # TODO: figure out minimal environment where the tests work
-    # common/x11.nix enables the auto display manager (lightdm)
-    services.xserver.displayManager.gdm.enable = false;
-    services.gnome3.core-utilities.enable = false;
+    xdg.portal.enable = true;
     services.flatpak.enable = true;
     environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [ gnupg ostree python3 ];
     virtualisation.memorySize = 2047;