diff --git a/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml b/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
index 975df0bc3..02a4bdf42 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
@@ -99,10 +99,14 @@ jobs:
 
       - uses: r-lib/actions/setup-r-dependencies@v2
         with:
-          extra-packages: any::rcmdcheck, local::.
+          extra-packages: any::rcmdcheck
+          # , local::.
           cache-version: 1
           # upgrade: 'TRUE'
 
+      - name: install keras r pkg (workaround pak bug in r-lib/actions/setup-r-dependencies)
+        run: remotes::install_local(dependencies = TRUE)
+
       - name: Install Tensorflow + Keras deps
         run: keras::install_keras(python_version = '${{ matrix.python }}')
         # run: keras::install_keras(tensorflow = '${{ matrix.tf }}-cpu')