diff --git a/integration_tests/src/main/python/spark_init_internal.py b/integration_tests/src/main/python/spark_init_internal.py
index 9722b289294..65e1e0335eb 100644
--- a/integration_tests/src/main/python/spark_init_internal.py
+++ b/integration_tests/src/main/python/spark_init_internal.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def _spark__init():
     _s = SparkSession.builder \
             .config('spark.plugins', 'com.nvidia.spark.SQLPlugin') \
             .config('spark.sql.queryExecutionListeners', 'com.nvidia.spark.rapids.ExecutionPlanCaptureCallback')\
+            .enableHiveSupport() \
             .appName('rapids spark plugin integration tests (python)').getOrCreate()
     #TODO catch the ClassNotFound error that happens if the classpath is not set up properly and
     # make it a better error message