diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI.yml b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
index 91493cfa..31d0e89d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
@@ -93,6 +93,10 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           PYTHONPATH=. pytest --cov=payu -s test;
 
+      - name: Configure git safe directory
+        # Coveralls parallel step fails with git dubious ownership errors #453
+        run: git config --global --add safe.directory /github/workspace
+
       - name: Coveralls
         uses: AndreMiras/coveralls-python-action@f5fd5c309b39d01599fb92c72d4f7409ea78aec9 # v20201129
         with: