diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 3bee9287d..affeaed15 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ variables:
 
 .setup_ot_br: &setup_ot_br
   - cd ${CI_PROJECT_DIR}
+  - apt-get update
   - apt-get install -y openssh-client
   - git clone ${ESP_THREAD_BR_REPO_URL}
   - cd ${BR_PATH}/examples/basic_thread_border_router