diff --git a/.github/workflows/R_CDM_check_hades.yaml b/.github/workflows/R_CDM_check_hades.yaml
index 5367030..184aeee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/R_CDM_check_hades.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/R_CDM_check_hades.yaml
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ jobs:
       CDM5_SQL_SERVER_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.CDM5_SQL_SERVER_PASSWORD }}
       CDM5_SQL_SERVER_SERVER: ${{ secrets.CDM5_SQL_SERVER_SERVER }}
       CDM5_SQL_SERVER_USER: ${{ secrets.CDM5_SQL_SERVER_USER }}
+      TORCH_INSTALL: 1 # so torch runs torch::install_torch() 
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2