diff --git a/tests/test_nginx.py b/tests/test_nginx.py
index 683e46e33..dd9c1e66d 100644
--- a/tests/test_nginx.py
+++ b/tests/test_nginx.py
@@ -261,8 +261,8 @@ def __init__(
             f.write(config)
         self._argv = [
             CMD_NGINX,
-            "-e",
-            "stderr",
+            # nginx 1.19.5+ added the -e cmdline flag - may be testing earlier
+            # "-e", "stderr",
             "-c",
             "%s" % self.conf_path,
         ]