diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 833640dde..0b5b3ac65 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ test_nvs_on_host:
 test_build_system:
   stage: test
   image: espressif/esp32-ci-env
+  variables:
+    IDF_PATH: "$CI_PROJECT_DIR"
   script:
     - ./make/build_system_tests.sh