diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/proc/proc-maps-race.c b/tools/testing/selftests/proc/proc-maps-race.c
index 1026d8c400e1..415eccb70468 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/proc/proc-maps-race.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/proc/proc-maps-race.c
@@ -490,7 +490,8 @@ static bool query_addr_at(int maps_fd, void *addr,
 
 static inline bool split_vma(FIXTURE_DATA(proc_maps_race) *self)
 {
-	return mmap(self->mod_info->addr, self->page_size, self->mod_info->prot | PROT_EXEC,
+	/* PROT_NONE differs from both readable neighbors. */
+	return mmap(self->mod_info->addr, self->page_size, PROT_NONE,
 		    MAP_PRIVATE | MAP_ANONYMOUS | MAP_FIXED, -1, 0) != MAP_FAILED;
 }