diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index c64a1b85e0d5..6f4f9f82e7e8 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ default:
   before_script:
     - !reference [.job-switcher, before_script]
     - !reference [.timestamp, before_script]
+    - !reference [.pipeline-stopper-vars, script]
 
 .job-switcher:
   before_script:
@@ -81,7 +82,6 @@ default:
   before_script:
     - !reference [.common-before-script, before_script]
     - !reference [.prepare-env, before_script]
-    - !reference [.pipeline-stopper-vars, script]
   tags:
     - kubernetes-parity-build