diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index b23efe711..5f3d488aa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -122,7 +122,10 @@ jobs:
       # For ArchLinux
       - name: Install dependencies
         if: ${{ startsWith(matrix.container, 'archlinux:') }}
-        run: pacman --noconfirm -Syu && pacman --noconfirm -S ${BUILD_DEPS}
+        # don't upgrade, although told otherwise (see link below), because
+        # apparently in the container it doesn't quit work...
+        # https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/System_maintenance#Partial_upgrades_are_unsupported
+        run: pacman --noconfirm -Sy && pacman --noconfirm -S ${BUILD_DEPS}
 
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with: