diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 065cdc3..b21226a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -98,6 +98,15 @@ jobs:
       snap-file: ${{ steps.build-snap.outputs.snap }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      # The runner image does not ship a running snapd (and package scripts
+      # don't autostart it), while snapcore/action-build expects a live
+      # snapd.socket to install snapcraft and LXD. Bootstrap it explicitly.
+      - name: Bootstrap snapd
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update -q
+          sudo apt-get install -qy snapd
+          sudo systemctl start snapd.socket
+          sudo snap wait system seed.loaded
       - uses: snapcore/action-build@v1
         id: build-snap
       - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4