diff --git a/cognee/tests/test_relational_db_migration.py b/cognee/tests/test_relational_db_migration.py
index 2b69ce854..4557e9e2f 100644
--- a/cognee/tests/test_relational_db_migration.py
+++ b/cognee/tests/test_relational_db_migration.py
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ def normalize_node_name(node_name: str) -> str:
 
 
 async def setup_test_db():
+    # Disable backend access control to migrate relational data
+    os.environ["ENABLE_BACKEND_ACCESS_CONTROL"] = "false"
+
     await cognee.prune.prune_data()
     await cognee.prune.prune_system(metadata=True)