diff --git a/bin/test-fat-jar.sh b/bin/test-fat-jar.sh
index 2ff4cb61..6b9b2b22 100755
--- a/bin/test-fat-jar.sh
+++ b/bin/test-fat-jar.sh
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ declare JAR_PID=""
 declare CURL_PID=""
 
 function validate() {
-  java -jar "${JAR}" &
+  java -jar -Dotel.sdk.disabled=true "${JAR}" &
   JAR_PID=$!
 
   # give some time for the server to come up ...