diff --git a/apex/apex.go b/apex/apex.go
index ec87f5b76..b69f01c7a 100644
--- a/apex/apex.go
+++ b/apex/apex.go
@@ -1162,6 +1162,10 @@ type apexBundleProperties struct {
 	// Should be only used in tests#.
 	Test_only_no_hashtree *bool
 
+	// Whenever apex_payload.img of the APEX should not be dm-verity signed.
+	// Should be only used in tests#.
+	Test_only_unsigned_payload *bool
+
 	IsCoverageVariant bool `blueprint:"mutated"`
 
 	// Whether this APEX is considered updatable or not. When set to true, this will enforce additional
@@ -1653,6 +1657,10 @@ func (a *apexBundle) testOnlyShouldSkipHashtreeGeneration() bool {
 	return proptools.Bool(a.properties.Test_only_no_hashtree)
 }
 
+func (a *apexBundle) testOnlyShouldSkipPayloadSign() bool {
+	return proptools.Bool(a.properties.Test_only_unsigned_payload)
+}
+
 func (a *apexBundle) getImageVariation(config android.DeviceConfig) string {
 	if a.vndkApex {
 		return cc.VendorVariationPrefix + a.vndkVersion(config)
diff --git a/apex/builder.go b/apex/builder.go
index 84cbff84e..0d7e80184 100644
--- a/apex/builder.go
+++ b/apex/builder.go
@@ -484,6 +484,10 @@ func (a *apexBundle) buildUnflattenedApex(ctx android.ModuleContext) {
 			optFlags = append(optFlags, "--no_hashtree")
 		}
 
+		if a.testOnlyShouldSkipPayloadSign() {
+			optFlags = append(optFlags, "--unsigned_payload")
+		}
+
 		if a.properties.Apex_name != nil {
 			// If apex_name is set, apexer can skip checking if key name matches with apex name.
 			// Note that apex_manifest is also mended.