diff --git a/packages/relay/src/e2e.test.ts b/packages/relay/src/e2e.test.ts
index cbc19f57b6..413d2223a4 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/e2e.test.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/e2e.test.ts
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ function spawnRelayDevServer(port: number): ChildProcess {
       wranglerCliPath,
       "dev",
       "--local",
+      // Exercise the local Durable Object, independent of production cutover routing.
+      "--var",
+      "PASEO_RELAY_UPSTREAM:",
       "--ip",
       "127.0.0.1",
       "--port",