diff --git a/tests/rest/client/test_retention.py b/tests/rest/client/test_retention.py
index 9e549d8a91..95475bb651 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/test_retention.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/test_retention.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ class RetentionTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def make_homeserver(self, reactor, clock):
         config = self.default_config()
-        config["default_room_version"] = "1"
         config["retention"] = {
             "enabled": True,
             "default_policy": {
@@ -204,7 +203,6 @@ class RetentionNoDefaultPolicyTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def make_homeserver(self, reactor, clock):
         config = self.default_config()
-        config["default_room_version"] = "1"
         config["retention"] = {
             "enabled": True,
         }