diff --git a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
index 97e5fb4..5f821c1 100644
--- a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
+++ b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def _load_meta(recipe: str) -> dict:
         ns: dict = {}
         with open(path) as fh:
             exec(compile(fh.read(), path, "exec"), ns)  # noqa: S102 (trusted, in-repo)
-        for k in list(meta) + ["BACKUP_CAPABLE", "SKIP_GENERIC", "OIDC_AT_INSTALL", "READY_PROBE"]:
+        for k in list(meta) + ["BACKUP_CAPABLE", "SKIP_GENERIC", "OIDC_AT_INSTALL", "READY_PROBE", "UPGRADE_BASE_VERSION"]:
             if k in ns:
                 meta[k] = ns[k]
     return meta