diff --git a/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/BwcVersions.java b/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/BwcVersions.java
index 720c159f75552..7b1bc14fda8af 100644
--- a/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/BwcVersions.java
+++ b/build-tools-internal/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/gradle/internal/BwcVersions.java
@@ -223,7 +223,10 @@ public void compareToAuthoritative(List<Version> authoritativeReleasedVersions)
     }
 
     private List<Version> getReleased() {
-        return versions.stream().filter(v -> unreleased.containsKey(v) == false).toList();
+        return versions.stream()
+            .filter(v -> v.getMajor() >= currentVersion.getMajor() - 1)
+            .filter(v -> unreleased.containsKey(v) == false)
+            .toList();
     }
 
     /**