diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 6c6c1a73d821cce18c0aef32ff0dce4a909551c1..c8dfd101a37133c8cda5b454d63310274d510352 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -483,16 +483,21 @@ stack-hadrian-build:
 # Testing reinstallable ghc codepath
 ####################################
 
-test-cabal-reinstall-x86_64-linux-deb10:
-  extends: nightly-x86_64-linux-deb10-validate
-  stage: full-build
-  variables:
-    REINSTALL_GHC: "yes"
-    BUILD_FLAVOUR: validate
-    TEST_ENV: "x86_64-linux-deb10-cabal-install"
-  rules:
-    - if: $NIGHTLY
-    - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_LABELS =~ /.*test-reinstall.*/'
+# As documented on the original ticket #19896, this feature already has a long
+# way to go before it can actually be used. Meanwhile, parts of it have
+# bit-rotted, possibly related to some Cabal change. The job is disabled for
+# now.
+#
+# test-cabal-reinstall-x86_64-linux-deb10:
+#   extends: nightly-x86_64-linux-deb10-validate
+#   stage: full-build
+#   variables:
+#     REINSTALL_GHC: "yes"
+#     BUILD_FLAVOUR: validate
+#     TEST_ENV: "x86_64-linux-deb10-cabal-install"
+#   rules:
+#     - if: $NIGHTLY
+#     - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_LABELS =~ /.*test-reinstall.*/'
 
 ########################################
 # Testing ABI is invariant across builds