diff --git a/.github/workflows/stackhpc-container-image-build.yml b/.github/workflows/stackhpc-container-image-build.yml
index ce230dc1f..d57c80bda 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stackhpc-container-image-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stackhpc-container-image-build.yml
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build and push kolla seed images
         run: |
-          args="kolla_base_distro=${{ matrix.distro }}"
+          args="-e kolla_base_distro=${{ matrix.distro }}"
           args="$args -e kolla_tag=$KOLLA_TAG"
           if ${{ inputs.push }} == 'true'; then
             args="$args --push"