diff --git a/.github/workflows/gpu-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/gpu-tests.yml
index 72327cc819..9919240a82 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gpu-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gpu-tests.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,19 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
+      - name: Set up Python 3.8
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        with:
+          python-version: 3.8
+      - name: Install Ubuntu packages
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update -y
+          sudo apt-get install -y protobuf-compiler
+      - name: Install and upgrade python packages
+        run: |
+          python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools==59.4.0 wheel tox pybind11
+          python -m pip uninstall protobuf -y
+          python -m pip install --no-binary=protobuf protobuf
       - name: Get Branch name
         id: get-branch-name
         uses: NVIDIA-Merlin/.github/actions/branch-name@main