diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 7d36450ef..1d5afe4f8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
 
+      # we need to build the module since we're using link:. in package.json
+      - name: Building
+        run: pnpm build
+
       - name: Setup development
         run: pnpm dev:prepare
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index aaa3e3cbf..74597224b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     "release": "bumpp --commit \"release: v%s\" --push --tag",
     "changelog": "gh-changelogen --repo=nuxt-community/i18n-module",
     "dev": "pnpm dev:prepare && pnpm build --sourcemap && nuxi dev playground",
-    "dev:prepare": "nuxt-module-build build --stub && nuxt-module-build prepare",
+    "dev:prepare": "nuxt-module-build build --stub && nuxt-module-build prepare && nuxi dev playground",
     "dev:build": "nuxi build playground",
     "dev:generate": "nuxi generate playground",
     "dev:preview": "nuxi preview playground",