diff --git a/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py b/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
index 9a1b96ed3..9e7df1aa2 100644
--- a/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
+++ b/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
@@ -592,6 +592,8 @@ class EndToEndTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         '''
             Test secrets in different namespace
         '''
+        k8s = self.k8s
+
         # enable secret creation in separate namespace
         patch_cross_namespace_secret = {
             "data": {