diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 7a9dc40e38a5b..0a38d6ca05d8f 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -192,9 +192,9 @@ tasks.register("verifyVersions") {
  * after the backport of the backcompat code is complete.
  */
 
-boolean bwc_tests_enabled = true
-/* place a PR link here when committing bwc changes */
-final String bwc_tests_disabled_issue = ""
+boolean bwc_tests_enabled = false
+/* place an issue link here when committing bwc changes */
+final String bwc_tests_disabled_issue = "https://github.com/opensearch-project/OpenSearch/issues/1158"
 if (bwc_tests_enabled == false) {
   if (bwc_tests_disabled_issue.isEmpty()) {
     throw new GradleException("bwc_tests_disabled_issue must be set when bwc_tests_enabled == false")