diff --git a/.github/workflows/meson.yml b/.github/workflows/meson.yml
index e35ef74f147..d11e0cbae30 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/meson.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/meson.yml
@@ -300,8 +300,11 @@ jobs:
         with:
           copyback: false
           prepare: |
-            pkg_add -u
-            pkg_add \
+            ftp https://pkgsrc.smartos.org/packages/NetBSD/bootstrap/bootstrap-netbsd-trunk-x86_64-20230918.tar.gz
+            tar -zxpf bootstrap-netbsd-trunk-x86_64-20230918.tar.gz -C /
+            pkgin -y update
+            pkgin -y upgrade
+            pkgin -y install \
               meson \
               avahi \
               bison \