diff --git a/tests/functional/setup.yml b/tests/functional/setup.yml
index f8e2047d4..180b7fb35 100644
--- a/tests/functional/setup.yml
+++ b/tests/functional/setup.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@
       set_fact:
         is_atomic: '{{ stat_ostree.stat.exists }}'
 
+    - name: force rpm pkg upgrade
+      package:
+        name: rpm
+        state: latest
+      when: not is_atomic | bool
+
     - name: update the system
       command: dnf update -y
       changed_when: false