diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index c52c3714e2..37ba2e81a7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ jobs:
           ./v -o vprod -prod cmd/v
           ./vprod test-self
       - name: Self tests (-cstrict)
-        run: V_CI_CSTRICT=1 ./vprod -cstrict test-self
+        run: VTEST_JUST_ESSENTIAL=1 V_CI_CSTRICT=1 ./vprod -cstrict test-self
 
       - name: Build examples
         run: ./v build-examples