diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 9605879b25d5..e6223a7e5acf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
             toolchain: stable
 
+      - name: Install ninja and cmake
+        uses: lukka/get-cmake@v3.27.4
+
       - name: Check out succinctlabs/vm
         uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with: