diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index f9f9b7d1..1a44b949 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -75,6 +75,13 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     container: debian:${{ matrix.release }}-slim
 
+    # When systemd is installed, these values are set in /usr/share/pkgconfig/systemd.pc.
+    # It does not make sense to install the full systemd in a build container, though, so
+    # inject the relevant values for successful "make install" with environment variables.
+    env:
+      SYSTEMD_DIR: /lib/systemd/system
+      SYSTEMD_SYSUSERS_DIR: /lib/sysusers.d
+
     steps:
     - name: Install dependencies
       run: |