diff --git a/.github/condarc b/.github/condarc
index a76e773f8f..75de07c1c1 100644
--- a/.github/condarc
+++ b/.github/condarc
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ notify_outdated_conda: False
 changeps1: False
 always_yes: True
 local_repodata_ttl: 7200
+channels:
+  - defaults
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 78ba210f92..10a8c1b98b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ jobs:
               - '*.py'
               - 'recipe/**'
               - '.github/workflows/tests.yml'
+              - '.github/condarc'
 
   # linux test suite
   linux: