diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yaml b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
index be02c435684..60e1080e773 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ jobs:
     - name: Upgrade cargo/rust
       run: rustup update
     - name: Build rustdoc
-      run: cd shadow/src && cargo doc
+      # don't build docs for shadow's tests
+      run: cd shadow/src && cargo doc --workspace --exclude shadow-tests
     - name: Copy rustdoc
       run: |
         rm -rf pages/docs