diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 7095c1a8c..9fda620cb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
           uv pip install --system -e ".[test]"
       - name: Trigger git clone
         run: |
-          python -c "import mujoco_playground"
+          python -c "from mujoco_playground._src import mjx_env; mjx_env.ensure_menagerie_exists()"
       - name: Test with pytest
         run: |
           pytest -n auto mujoco_playground/_src/