diff --git a/ppg/versions.yml b/ppg/versions.yml
index 150f0cb1..adc94aed 100644
--- a/ppg/versions.yml
+++ b/ppg/versions.yml
@@ -502,7 +502,6 @@ instances:
         version: '18.4'
         op: <
       subnet: aws2
-      telemetry_verify: false
     meta-server:
       gates:
       - name: End play on Ubuntu 26 and versions older than 18.4
diff --git a/templates/groups/server/tasks/main.yml.j2 b/templates/groups/server/tasks/main.yml.j2
index 343104e5..1ac65d91 100644
--- a/templates/groups/server/tasks/main.yml.j2
+++ b/templates/groups/server/tasks/main.yml.j2
@@ -46,19 +46,17 @@
   include_tasks: ../../../../tasks/install_psp{{ major }}_tde.yml
 
 {% endif %}
+{# ppg 18 ships no percona-pg-telemetry package #}
+{% if major < 18 %}
 # =========Telemetry testcases
-{% if telemetry_verify | default(true) %}
 - name: Verify telemetry installation
   include_tasks: ../../../../tasks/verify_telemetry.yml
 
 - name: Verify telemetry weak-dependency opt-out
   include_tasks: ../../../../tasks/verify_telemetry_weak_dependency.yml
   when: weak_dependency_expected | default(false)
-{% else %}
-# - name: Verify telemetry installation
-#   include_tasks: ../../../../tasks/verify_telemetry.yml
-{% endif %}
 
+{% endif %}
 - name: Install GCC Deb
   apt:
     name: gcc