diff --git a/tests/functional/api/test_epics.py b/tests/functional/api/test_epics.py
index a4f6765da..7583d25c9 100644
--- a/tests/functional/api/test_epics.py
+++ b/tests/functional/api/test_epics.py
@@ -26,7 +26,11 @@ def test_epic_issues(epic, issue):
 
 
 def test_epic_notes(epic):
-    assert not epic.notes.list()
+    epic_notes_list = epic.notes.list()
+    if epic_notes_list:
+        for note in epic_notes_list:
+            note.pprint()
+    assert not epic_notes_list, f"{epic_notes_list}"
 
     epic.notes.create({"body": "Test note"})
     assert epic.notes.list()
diff --git a/tests/functional/fixtures/.env b/tests/functional/fixtures/.env
index 86e8f0054..5bc7c02e4 100644
--- a/tests/functional/fixtures/.env
+++ b/tests/functional/fixtures/.env
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 GITLAB_IMAGE=gitlab/gitlab-ee
-GITLAB_TAG=17.8.2-ee.0
+GITLAB_TAG=17.9.1-ee.0
 GITLAB_RUNNER_IMAGE=gitlab/gitlab-runner
 GITLAB_RUNNER_TAG=92098577