diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index c256ce1200..0e288c12a6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ jobs:
         run: yarn run build
 
       - name: Run SES smoke test on Hermes
-        run: cd packages/ses && yarn test:hermes
+        run: cd packages/ses && SES_BUILD_TYPE=hermes yarn run build && yarn test:hermes
 
   viable-release:
     name: viable-release