diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index bf4bcfbf2..70869e370 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: run type check
         run: |
           mypy conda_smithy tests
+        continue-on-error: true # type check is optional
 
       - name: coveralls
         uses: coverallsapp/github-action@master