diff --git a/tests/testthat/setup.R b/tests/testthat/setup.R
index 71f2ea14..82ef1084 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/setup.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/setup.R
@@ -6,3 +6,11 @@ withr::local_envvar(
   PKG_SYSREQS = "false",
   .local_envir = teardown_env()
 )
+
+# until the r -> bioc mapping is final for R 4.4.0
+if (getRversion() >= "4.4.0") {
+  withr::local_envvar(
+    R_BIOC_VERSION = "3.17",
+    .local_envir = teardown_env()
+  )
+}