diff --git a/operator-framework-junit5/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java b/operator-framework-junit5/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
index 61916f14bc..a95847905f 100644
--- a/operator-framework-junit5/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
+++ b/operator-framework-junit5/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ public static void applyCrd(String resourceTypeName, KubernetesClient client) {
       var crdString = new String(is.readAllBytes(), StandardCharsets.UTF_8);
       LOGGER.debug("Applying CRD: {}", crdString);
       final var crd = client.load(new ByteArrayInputStream(crdString.getBytes()));
-      crd.createOrReplace();
+      crd.serverSideApply();
       Thread.sleep(CRD_READY_WAIT); // readiness is not applicable for CRD, just wait a little
       LOGGER.debug("Applied CRD with path: {}", path);
     } catch (InterruptedException ex) {