diff --git a/.github/workflows/node.js.yml b/.github/workflows/node.js.yml
index 39a7284c..8a0c1691 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/node.js.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/node.js.yml
@@ -17,10 +17,15 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       matrix:
         node-version: [18.x, 20.x, 22.x]
-        # See supported Node.js release schedule at https://nodejs.org/en/about/releases/
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    # install system dependencies needed by the 'canvas' package
+    - name: Install dependencies for canvas
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y libcairo2-dev libpango1.0-dev 
+        libjpeg-dev libgif-dev librsvg2-dev
     - name: Use Node.js ${{ matrix.node-version }}
       uses: actions/setup-node@v4
       with: