diff --git a/packages/framework/ini-files/config-specs.ini b/packages/framework/ini-files/config-specs.ini
index 97fe60a8ff1b..1df8ed3219d2 100644
--- a/packages/framework/ini-files/config-specs.ini
+++ b/packages/framework/ini-files/config-specs.ini
@@ -1722,6 +1722,7 @@ opt-set-cmake-var Tpetra_INST_SERIAL BOOL FORCE : ON
 opt-set-cmake-var Zoltan_ENABLE_Scotch BOOL FORCE : OFF
 
 [CUDA11-RUN-SERIAL-TESTS]
+opt-set-cmake-var KokkosKernels_sparse_cuda_MPI_1_SET_RUN_SERIAL BOOL FORCE : ON
 opt-set-cmake-var KokkosKernels_batched_dla_cuda_MPI_1_SET_RUN_SERIAL BOOL FORCE : ON
 opt-set-cmake-var Intrepid2_unit-test_MonolithicExecutable_Intrepid2_Tests_MPI_1_SET_RUN_SERIAL BOOL FORCE : ON