diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 4a32bea7c..f1f6ef65c 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ node dependencies:
         - .npm
         - node_modules
   script:
-    - "${MAKE}" node_modules
+    - "$MAKE node_modules"
   before_script: &nix-before
     - git config --global init.defaultBranch master
     - install -v -m 0700 -d ~/.ssh