diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr.yml b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
index 7e946cb8ff..268b71946a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
@@ -33,12 +33,8 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       matrix:
         java: [ 11, 17 ]
-        kubernetes: [ 'v1.17.17','v1.18.20','v1.19.16','v1.20.15','v1.21.12', 'v1.22.9', 'v1.23.6', 'v1.24.0' ]
+        kubernetes: ['v1.20.15','v1.21.12', 'v1.22.9', 'v1.23.6', 'v1.24.0' ]
         exclude:
-          - java: 11
-            kubernetes: 'v1.18.20'
-          - java: 11
-            kubernetes: 'v1.19.16'
           - java: 11
             kubernetes: 'v1.20.15'
           - java: 11
diff --git a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/StatusPatchNotLockingIT.java b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/StatusPatchNotLockingIT.java
index 6292da120c..d7c477a9ac 100644
--- a/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/StatusPatchNotLockingIT.java
+++ b/operator-framework/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/StatusPatchNotLockingIT.java
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.Map;
 
-import org.junit.jupiter.api.Disabled;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.extension.RegisterExtension;
 
@@ -48,7 +47,6 @@ void noOptimisticLockingDoneOnStatusUpdate() throws InterruptedException {
   }
 
   // see https://github.com/fabric8io/kubernetes-client/issues/4158
-  @Disabled("Patch generated supported by K8S version below 1.20.x")
   @Test
   void valuesAreDeletedIfSetToNull() {
     var resource = operator.create(StatusPatchLockingCustomResource.class, createResource());
@@ -71,7 +69,6 @@ void valuesAreDeletedIfSetToNull() {
     });
   }
 
-
   StatusPatchLockingCustomResource createResource() {
     StatusPatchLockingCustomResource res = new StatusPatchLockingCustomResource();
     res.setSpec(new StatusPatchLockingCustomResourceSpec());