diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_tests/tests/unit/BUILD.bazel b/src/python/grpcio_tests/tests/unit/BUILD.bazel
index fbaff2697a3..fda39273586 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_tests/tests/unit/BUILD.bazel
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_tests/tests/unit/BUILD.bazel
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ GRPCIO_TESTS_UNIT = [
     "_dns_resolver_test.py",
     "_empty_message_test.py",
     "_error_message_encoding_test.py",
-    "_exit_test.py",
+    # TODO(https://github.com/grpc/grpc/issues/20385) enable this test
+    # "_exit_test.py",
     "_grpc_shutdown_test.py",
     "_interceptor_test.py",
     "_invalid_metadata_test.py",