diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yml
index 1a8e16547f5..4ce590ffa1f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 name: easyconfigs unit tests
 on: [push, pull_request]
+permissions:
+  contents: read # to fetch code (actions/checkout)
 jobs:
   test-suite:
     runs-on: ubuntu-20.04