diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-metalv1.yaml b/.github/workflows/sync-metalv1.yaml
index 057e9020..58213abf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-metalv1.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-metalv1.yaml
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ jobs:
       id: patch
       if: ${{ always() && steps.fetch.conclusion == 'success' }}
       run: |
+        python -m pip install --upgrade PyYAML # TODO remove when script/patch_metal_spec.py is no longer used
         make -f Makefile.metalv1 patch
         git add spec/services/metalv1
         echo `git commit -m 'sync: patch spec with ${{ steps.date.outputs.date }} spec'`