diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-cice_ubuntu.yml b/.github/workflows/test-cice_ubuntu.yml
index 3482c0c4d..35bca193e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-cice_ubuntu.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-cice_ubuntu.yml
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
         with:
            activate-environment: "cice"
-           environment-file: $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/configuration/scripts/machines/environment.yml
+           environment-file: configuration/scripts/machines/environment.yml
       - name: system info
         shell: /bin/bash {0}
         run: |
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "MINICOND: ${{ matrix.minicond }}"
       - name: link
         run: |
-           ln -s ${GITHUB_WORKSPACE} ${HOME}/cice
+           ln -s . ${HOME}/cice
 #           ls -al ${HOME}/
 #           ls -al ${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/
       - name: check for tabs