diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index c365dc2f..ed06b7be 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -147,6 +147,10 @@ jobs:
           create-args: >-
             mamba
             python=${{ matrix.python-version }}
+      - name: Downgrade intake-esm
+        if: matrix.python-version == '3.9'
+        run: |
+          micromamba install -y -c conda-forge intake-esm=2023.11.10
       - name: Conda and Mamba versions
         run: |
           mamba --version