diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index a966d8b729..c52c3714e2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Self tests (-prod)
         run: ./v -o vprod -prod cmd/v && ./vprod test-self
       - name: Self tests (-cstrict)
-        run: V_CI_CSTRICT=1 ./v -cc gcc -cstrict test-self
+        run: VTEST_JUST_ESSENTIAL=1 V_CI_CSTRICT=1 ./v -cc gcc -cstrict test-self
       - name: Build examples
         run: ./v build-examples
       - name: Build tetris.v with -autofree