diff --git a/lib/datasource/maven/index.ts b/lib/datasource/maven/index.ts
index e4e0bcfb4cd76d..80d67fb67915d4 100644
--- a/lib/datasource/maven/index.ts
+++ b/lib/datasource/maven/index.ts
@@ -244,11 +244,14 @@ export async function getReleases({
   logger.debug(`Looking up ${dependency.display} in repository ${repoUrl}`);
   const metadataVersions = await getVersionsFromMetadata(dependency, repoUrl);
   if (metadataVersions) {
-    const availableVersions = await filterMissingArtifacts(
-      dependency,
-      repoUrl,
-      metadataVersions
-    );
+    let availableVersions = metadataVersions;
+    if (!process.env.RENOVATE_EXPERIMENTAL_NO_MAVEN_POM_CHECK) {
+      availableVersions = await filterMissingArtifacts(
+        dependency,
+        repoUrl,
+        metadataVersions
+      );
+    }
     const filteredVersions = availableVersions.filter(
       (version) => !versions.includes(version)
     );