diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
index 8c8b948..a517a93 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ on:
       - '**/*.md'
       - '**/*.rst'
       - '**/*.txt'
+      - '**/_external/*.py'
   schedule:
     # run once a week
     - cron: '16 13 * * 5'