diff --git a/.buildkite/scripts/release/step_build.sh b/.buildkite/scripts/release/step_build.sh
index 3a9251b6e28..de1196ef7f6 100755
--- a/.buildkite/scripts/release/step_build.sh
+++ b/.buildkite/scripts/release/step_build.sh
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ echo "+++ :yarn: Installing dependencies"
 yarn
 
 echo "+++ :yarn: Building @elastic/eui"
+yarn init:workspaces
 yarn build
 
 echo "+++ :yarn: Built @elastic/eui"