diff --git a/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_types.py b/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_types.py
index 0c43cd34f43..02462bb870f 100644
--- a/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_types.py
+++ b/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_types.py
@@ -146,7 +146,10 @@ def _run_launch_server_process(
             AvailableServerContexts.entry,
             AvailableServerContexts.premium,
         ):
-            run_cmd.append(f"--context {int(context.licensing_context_type)}")
+            if context.licensing_context_type == 2 and len(context.xml_path) > 0:  # 2 == custom xml
+                run_cmd.append(f"--context {context.xml_path}")
+            else:
+                run_cmd.append(f"--context {int(context.licensing_context_type)}")
 
         if grpc_mode == server_factory.GrpcMode.Insecure:
             run_cmd.append("--mode 0")
diff --git a/tests/test_server.py b/tests/test_server.py
index 91d41aa4ee9..dd1fcafe3b1 100644
--- a/tests/test_server.py
+++ b/tests/test_server.py
@@ -184,6 +184,19 @@ def test_server_context_custom_xml(remote_config_server_type, testfiles_dir):
     assert sorted(list(server_plugins.keys())) == ref
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not SERVERS_VERSION_GREATER_THAN_OR_EQUAL_TO_10_0, reason="not working properly before 25R2"
+)
+@pytest.mark.skipif(running_docker, reason="server start using custom xml not working on Docker")
+def test_server_context_custom_xml_check_operators(remote_config_server_type):
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    context = dpf.core.AvailableServerContexts.no_context
+    context.xml_path = Path(dpf.core.misc.get_ansys_path()) / "dpf" / "utilities" / "DpfEmpty.xml"
+    server = start_local_server(config=remote_config_server_type, context=context, as_global=False)
+    assert len(server.plugins) == 1
+
+
 @pytest.mark.skipif(
     os.name == "posix" or running_docker,
     reason="lin issue: 2 processes can be run with same port",