diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index ee94e0e34..a5073ce25 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ jobs:
 
     - name: "(debug mode) Setup tmate session"
       uses: mxschmitt/action-tmate@v3
-      if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.debug_enabled }}
+      if: ${{ (github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.debug_enabled) || (env.ACTIONS_RUNNER_DEBUG == 'true') }}
 
     - name: Run all tests
       if: matrix.mode != 'dandi-api'