diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index ee0cc18662c..800821000b6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ jobs:
         run: npm run ci:test:only
         env:
           CI: true
+          # temporary workaround for: https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/42638
+          NODE_OPTIONS: ${{ matrix.node = '18' && '--no-experimental-fetch' }}
 
   macos:
     runs-on: macos-latest