diff --git a/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/testfixtures/TestFixturesPlugin.java b/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/testfixtures/TestFixturesPlugin.java
index 46897834fd580..89e8747ee814d 100644
--- a/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/testfixtures/TestFixturesPlugin.java
+++ b/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/testfixtures/TestFixturesPlugin.java
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ public void execute(Task task) {
             composeExtension.getRemoveContainers().set(true);
             composeExtension.getCaptureContainersOutput()
                 .set(EnumSet.of(LogLevel.INFO, LogLevel.DEBUG).contains(project.getGradle().getStartParameter().getLogLevel()));
+            composeExtension.getUseDockerComposeV2().set(false);
             composeExtension.getExecutable().set(this.providerFactory.provider(() -> {
                 String composePath = dockerSupport.get().getDockerAvailability().dockerComposePath();
                 LOGGER.debug("Docker Compose path: {}", composePath);