diff --git a/x-pack/elastic-agent/pkg/agent/operation/operator_test.go b/x-pack/elastic-agent/pkg/agent/operation/operator_test.go
index e0dce31816be..e178620d228a 100644
--- a/x-pack/elastic-agent/pkg/agent/operation/operator_test.go
+++ b/x-pack/elastic-agent/pkg/agent/operation/operator_test.go
@@ -379,6 +379,8 @@ func TestConfigurableStartStop(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestConfigurableService(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Skipf("flaky see https://github.com/elastic/beats/issues/20836")
+
 	p := getProgram("serviceable", "1.0")
 
 	operator := getTestOperator(t, downloadPath, installPath, p)