diff --git a/.github/scripts/main/preamble.sh b/.github/scripts/main/preamble.sh
index 9326a779522..bf6597b4994 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/main/preamble.sh
+++ b/.github/scripts/main/preamble.sh
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ fi
 
 # used only for TEST jobs
 init-bootstrap () {
-  if [ "$OPAM_TEST" = "1" ] || [ "$OPAM_DOC" = "1" ] || [ -n "$SOLVER" ]; then
+  if [ "$OPAM_TEST" = "1" ] || [ "$OPAM_DOC" = "1" ] || [ "$OPAM_DEPENDS" = "1" ] || [ -n "$SOLVER" ]; then
     set -e
     export OPAMROOT=$OPAMBSROOT
     # The system compiler will be picked up