diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 7f02f55fe..26325b8be 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ jobs:
             platform: darwin-x64
           - os: windows-2019
             nodejs_arch: x86
-            nodejs_version: "^18.17.0"
+            nodejs_version: "18.18.2" # pinned to avoid 18.19.0 and npm 10
             nodejs_version_major: 18
             platform: win32-ia32
             prebuild: true