diff --git a/.github/workflows/canister-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/canister-tests.yml
index b1babc8def..fbca0d0a6c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/canister-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/canister-tests.yml
@@ -397,6 +397,10 @@ jobs:
       - uses: ./.github/actions/bootstrap
       - uses: ./.github/actions/setup-node
 
+      # run the build
+      - run: npm ci
+        shell: bash
+
       - name: Run tests
         run: ./scripts/test-canisters.sh