diff --git a/libs/binder/RpcState.cpp b/libs/binder/RpcState.cpp
index bac2808..f9e833b 100644
--- a/libs/binder/RpcState.cpp
+++ b/libs/binder/RpcState.cpp
@@ -409,10 +409,11 @@
         char codename[PROPERTY_VALUE_MAX];
         property_get("ro.build.version.codename", codename, "");
         if (!strcmp(codename, "REL")) {
-            ALOGE("Cannot use experimental RPC binder protocol on a release branch.");
+            ALOGE("Cannot use experimental RPC binder protocol in a release configuration.");
             return false;
         }
 #else
+        // TODO(b/305983144)
         // don't restrict on other platforms, though experimental should
         // only really be used for testing, we don't have a good way to see
         // what is shipping outside of Android
diff --git a/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcTestCommon.h b/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcTestCommon.h
index c1364dd..eceff35 100644
--- a/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcTestCommon.h
+++ b/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcTestCommon.h
@@ -70,12 +70,23 @@
     return {RpcSecurity::RAW, RpcSecurity::TLS};
 }
 
+static inline bool hasExperimentalRpc() {
+#ifdef __ANDROID__
+    return base::GetProperty("ro.build.version.codename", "") != "REL";
+#else
+    // TODO(b/305983144): restrict on other platforms
+    return true;
+#endif
+}
+
 static inline std::vector<uint32_t> testVersions() {
     std::vector<uint32_t> versions;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < RPC_WIRE_PROTOCOL_VERSION_NEXT; i++) {
         versions.push_back(i);
     }
-    versions.push_back(RPC_WIRE_PROTOCOL_VERSION_EXPERIMENTAL);
+    if (hasExperimentalRpc()) {
+        versions.push_back(RPC_WIRE_PROTOCOL_VERSION_EXPERIMENTAL);
+    }
     return versions;
 }
 
diff --git a/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcUniversalTests.cpp b/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcUniversalTests.cpp
index e43508e..885bb45 100644
--- a/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcUniversalTests.cpp
+++ b/libs/binder/tests/binderRpcUniversalTests.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@
 
 TEST(BinderRpc, CanUseExperimentalWireVersion) {
     auto session = RpcSession::make();
-    EXPECT_TRUE(session->setProtocolVersion(RPC_WIRE_PROTOCOL_VERSION_EXPERIMENTAL));
+    EXPECT_EQ(hasExperimentalRpc(),
+              session->setProtocolVersion(RPC_WIRE_PROTOCOL_VERSION_EXPERIMENTAL));
 }
 
 TEST_P(BinderRpc, Ping) {