diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 741931df27..52c31eeaa9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@ jobs:
   rpcimportable:
     runs-on: ubuntu-20.04
     timeout-minutes: 15
+    # do not run this on forks as they are not installable
+    # it will still be check in the merge queue in this case
+    if: github.repository == 'zeta-chain/node'
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Set up Go