diff --git a/.github/workflows/meson.yaml b/.github/workflows/meson.yaml
index 98b79ac..ebddd3e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/meson.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/meson.yaml
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: install prerequisites
       run: |
         # asuming that python and pip are already installed
-        pip3 install meson
+        pip3 install meson ninja
     - name: setup meson project
       run: |
         # setup the build directory with tests and examples enabled