diff --git a/ci_tests/_tests_common.sh b/ci_tests/_tests_common.sh
index 46e7ad1ff6a7a71e4c0210f854d2446870b58988..5a28468cf9c06804f5aa529f92abd72723d5210d 100644
--- a/ci_tests/_tests_common.sh
+++ b/ci_tests/_tests_common.sh
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ run_remote_curl_pod() {
         shift 2
         other_args="$@"
     fi
-    kubectl run -qit --rm --restart=Never curl-test-${pod_prefix} --image=curlimages/curl:7.81.0 -- curl $other_args "${curl_target}"
+    # NOTE: Use kubectl 1.21 or greater to make sure "-q" flag exists
+    kubectl.1.22 run -qit --rm --restart=Never curl-test-${pod_prefix} --image=curlimages/curl:7.81.0 -- curl $other_args "${curl_target}"
 }
 
 run_grb_checks() {