diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-install.yml b/.github/workflows/test-install.yml
index 0bf23b0c4a..4f390fe7ae 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-install.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-install.yml
@@ -90,15 +90,17 @@ jobs:
     - run: python --version
     - run: which python
 
-    - name: Create conda environment
+    - name: Test direct installation
       run: |
-        conda env create -f environment.yml -n test-environment
-        source activate test-environment
-        python -m pip install --no-deps -e .
+        conda create -n test-install aiida-core
+        source activate test-install
+        python -c "import aiida"
 
-    - name: Test importing aiida
+    - name: Test conda environment
       run: |
+        conda env create -f environment.yml -n test-environment
         source activate test-environment
+        python -m pip install --no-deps -e .
         python -c "import aiida"
 
   tests: