diff --git a/.github/workflows/server.yml b/.github/workflows/server.yml
index b4a4f9737..f18605b00 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/server.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/server.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ jobs:
     env:
       NODE_ENV: "test"
       CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+
+    # skip the 5 minute time-waste when fast deploying
+    if: ${{ github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v2