diff --git a/pkg/util/test/util.go b/pkg/util/test/util.go
index d6efad24c1..e2b97fcc64 100644
--- a/pkg/util/test/util.go
+++ b/pkg/util/test/util.go
@@ -517,9 +517,13 @@ func validateTelemetrySecret(cluster *corev1.StorageCluster, timeout, interval t
 				return nil, true, fmt.Errorf("waiting for ownerReference to be set to StorageCluster %s in secret %s", cluster.Name, secret.Name)
 			}
 			// validate secret owner should not have owner reference
-			for _, reference := range secret.OwnerReferences {
-				if reference.UID == ownerRef.UID {
-					return nil, true, fmt.Errorf("secret %s should not have ownerReference to StorageCluster %s", secret.Name, cluster.Name)
+			// Do not validate reference for PX Operators below 1.10, as this was introduced in 1.10+, see PWX-26326 for more info
+			opVersion, _ := GetPxOperatorVersion()
+			if opVersion.GreaterThanOrEqual(opVer1_10) {
+				for _, reference := range secret.OwnerReferences {
+					if reference.UID == ownerRef.UID {
+						return nil, true, fmt.Errorf("secret %s should not have ownerReference to StorageCluster %s", secret.Name, cluster.Name)
+					}
 				}
 			}
 			return nil, false, nil