diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_hw.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_hw.yml
index 0c63cd2210a..c68b72029e8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_hw.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_hw.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Evaluate if tests should be run
         id: check-tests
+        shell: bash
         run: |
+          #!/bin/bash
           cache_exists=${{ steps.cache-results.outputs.cache-hit == 'true' }}
           enabled=true
 
@@ -58,6 +60,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout user repository
         if: ${{ steps.check-tests.outputs.enabled == 'true' }}
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          sparse-checkout: |
+            *
 
       - name: List files recursively
         if: ${{ steps.check-tests.outputs.enabled == 'true' }}