diff --git a/.github/workflows/compat53-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/compat53-tests.yml
index 34a4f78..623837f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/compat53-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/compat53-tests.yml
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
       - name: install Lua
         run: |
+          sudo apt install libreadline-dev
           pip3 install --user hererocks
           ~/.local/bin/hererocks old --${{ matrix.luaVersion }}
           test -e old/bin/lua || (cd old/bin && ln -s luajit* lua)