diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-make-target.yaml b/.github/workflows/test-make-target.yaml
index 995bb8733d78..9aa67ae1b905 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-make-target.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-make-target.yaml
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ jobs:
 
         sudo aa-complain `which slapd`
 
+    # rabbitmq_cli needs a correct broker version for two of its tests.
+    - name: SETUP PROJECT_VERSION (rabbitmq_cli)
+      if: inputs.plugin == 'rabbitmq_cli'
+      run: echo "PROJECT_VERSION=4.1.0" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+
     - name: RUN TESTS
       run: |
         make -C deps/${{ inputs.plugin }} ${{ inputs.make_target }} RABBITMQ_METADATA_STORE=${{ inputs.metadata_store }}