diff --git a/envs/monkey_zoo/blackbox/island_client/monkey_island_client.py b/envs/monkey_zoo/blackbox/island_client/monkey_island_client.py
index 8cadac06e..03ab56d22 100644
--- a/envs/monkey_zoo/blackbox/island_client/monkey_island_client.py
+++ b/envs/monkey_zoo/blackbox/island_client/monkey_island_client.py
@@ -35,9 +35,18 @@ class MonkeyIslandClient(object):
 
     @avoid_race_condition
     def import_config(self, test_configuration: TestConfiguration):
+        self._set_island_mode()
         self._import_config(test_configuration)
         self._import_credentials(test_configuration.propagation_credentials)
 
+    @avoid_race_condition
+    def _set_island_mode(self):
+        if self.requests.put_json("api/island/mode", json="advanced").ok:
+            LOGGER.info("Setting island mode to Custom.")
+        else:
+            LOGGER.error("Failed to set island mode")
+            assert False
+
     @avoid_race_condition
     def _import_config(self, test_configuration: TestConfiguration):
         response = self.requests.put_json(