diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index db4997fcdd..50864ceb85 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ jobs:
             --install defcon \
             --install gadopt \
             --install asQ \
+            --package-branch ngsPETSc JDBetteridge/firedrake_uid_changes \
             || (cat firedrake-install.log && /bin/false)
       - name: Install test dependencies
         run: |
diff --git a/firedrake/mesh.py b/firedrake/mesh.py
index b9b1b53a10..4d8cbe9511 100644
--- a/firedrake/mesh.py
+++ b/firedrake/mesh.py
@@ -2714,7 +2714,7 @@ def Mesh(meshfile, **kwargs):
                             comm=user_comm)
     mesh = make_mesh_from_mesh_topology(topology, name, user_comm)
     if netgen and isinstance(meshfile, netgen.libngpy._meshing.Mesh):
-        netgen_firedrake_mesh.createFromTopology(topology, name=plex.getName())
+        netgen_firedrake_mesh.createFromTopology(topology, name=plex.getName(), comm=user_comm)
         mesh = netgen_firedrake_mesh.firedrakeMesh
     mesh._tolerance = tolerance
     return mesh