diff --git a/hack/aks/Makefile b/hack/aks/Makefile
index d15a79b106..f46b5d6579 100644
--- a/hack/aks/Makefile
+++ b/hack/aks/Makefile
@@ -343,6 +343,7 @@ linux-cniv1-up: rg-up overlay-net-up ## Bring up a Linux CNIv1 cluster
 	$(AZCLI) aks create -n $(CLUSTER) -g $(GROUP) -l $(REGION) \
 		--auto-upgrade-channel $(AUTOUPGRADE) \
 		--node-os-upgrade-channel $(NODEUPGRADE) \
+		--kubernetes-version $(K8S_VER) \
 		--node-count $(NODE_COUNT) \
 		--node-vm-size $(VM_SIZE) \
 		--max-pods 250 \