diff --git a/.github/robostack_env.yaml b/.github/robostack_env.yaml
index ea39763a5b..618957c6c5 100644
--- a/.github/robostack_env.yaml
+++ b/.github/robostack_env.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ channels:
   - robostack
   - conda-forge
 dependencies:
+  - python 3.8
   - compilers
   - ninja
   - cmake