diff --git a/.github/workflows/testpr.yml b/.github/workflows/testpr.yml
index 5882633370..5438760e39 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/testpr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/testpr.yml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ jobs:
 #          GITHUB_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
       - name: fix sudo ownership
         run: |
-          sudo chown -R $(whoami) build
+          stat build && sudo chown -R $(whoami) build || echo "fresh workspace detected"
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0