diff --git a/tests/kolainst/destructive/staged-deploy.sh b/tests/kolainst/destructive/staged-deploy.sh
index 0068ed5617..b17771fb74 100755
--- a/tests/kolainst/destructive/staged-deploy.sh
+++ b/tests/kolainst/destructive/staged-deploy.sh
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ case "${AUTOPKGTEST_REBOOT_MARK:-}" in
     systemctl show -p SubState ostree-finalize-staged.path | grep -q waiting
     systemctl show -p ActiveState ostree-finalize-staged.service | grep -q inactive
     systemctl show -p TriggeredBy ostree-finalize-staged.service | grep -q path
-    ostree admin deploy --stage staged-deploy | tee out.txt
+    ostree admin deploy --stage --retain-previous-version staged-deploy | tee out.txt
     assert_file_has_content out.txt 'test-staged-path: Not running'
     systemctl show -p SubState ostree-finalize-staged.path | grep running
     systemctl show -p ActiveState ostree-finalize-staged.service | grep active
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ case "${AUTOPKGTEST_REBOOT_MARK:-}" in
     # And there should not be a staged deployment
     test '!' -f /run/ostree/staged-deployment
 
+    # Check that previous version was kept
+    ostree admin status > status.txt
+    test $(grep -Fce 'Version: ' status.txt) == 1
+
     # Upgrade with staging
     test '!' -f /run/ostree/staged-deployment
     ostree admin deploy --stage staged-deploy