diff --git a/global-requirement-pins.txt b/global-requirement-pins.txt
index 3eef813989..c91c77d462 100644
--- a/global-requirement-pins.txt
+++ b/global-requirement-pins.txt
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ pip==26.0.1
 wheel==0.46.3
 setuptools==80.10.2
 uWSGI==2.0.31
+uv==0.9.7
diff --git a/tests/roles/bootstrap-host/templates/user_variables.aio.yml.j2 b/tests/roles/bootstrap-host/templates/user_variables.aio.yml.j2
index c37c711564..0d34cac3d9 100644
--- a/tests/roles/bootstrap-host/templates/user_variables.aio.yml.j2
+++ b/tests/roles/bootstrap-host/templates/user_variables.aio.yml.j2
@@ -229,6 +229,7 @@ magnum_wsgi_processes: 1
 magnum_conductor_workers: 1
 
 {% if 'metal' in bootstrap_host_scenarios %}
+venv_install_tool: uv
 venv_wheel_build_enable: false
 {% endif %}