diff --git a/.github/workflows/citations.yml b/.github/workflows/citations.yml
index ed4afb69..cfaf37ae 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/citations.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/citations.yml
@@ -31,5 +31,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - name: checkout
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - name: Install R
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y r-base
     - name: Validate CITATION.cff
       uses: dieghernan/cff-validator@v3