diff --git a/.github/workflows/validate.yml b/.github/workflows/validate.yml
index 4f5a6cf..e6e6b97 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/validate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
       run: NIXPKGS_ALLOW_UNFREE=1 nix flake check --impure --log-format internal-json
       timeout-minutes: 15
       env:
-        CI: "true"
+        CI: "1"
 
     - name: get test derivation path
       id: test-derivation
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index 2e6ac37..c9612f0 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@
 
     nixosModules.kolide-launcher = import ./modules/kolide-launcher self;
 
-    checks.x86_64-linux.kolide-launcher = import ./tests/kolide-launcher.nix { flake = self; };
+    checks = nixpkgs.lib.mkIf (builtins.getEnv "CI" == "1") {
+      x86_64-linux.kolide-launcher = import ./tests/kolide-launcher.nix { flake = self; };
+    };
   };
 }
diff --git a/tests/kolide-launcher.nix b/tests/kolide-launcher.nix
index 355b018..67ed646 100644
--- a/tests/kolide-launcher.nix
+++ b/tests/kolide-launcher.nix
@@ -48,12 +48,8 @@ pkgs.nixosTest {
       user = nodes.machine.users.users.alice;
       uid = toString user.uid;
       xauthority = "${user.home}/.Xauthority";
-      ci = builtins.getEnv "CI";
     in
     ''
-      if not "${ci}":
-        return
-
       machine.start()
 
       with subtest("log in to MATE"):