diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
index 730ed4d95ce7..e3f2cce8c0bc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-compile-test.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ jobs:
         mkdir ~/.cime 
         cp /home/e3smuser/.cime/* /github/home/.cime/
         git clone https://github.com/rfiorella/pt-e3sm-inputdata /home/e3smuser/inputdata
+        find /home/e3smuser/inputdata -type f -name "*.gz" -exec gunzip -v {} \; 
     - name: create new case and setup
       run: |
         cd cime/scripts && ./create_newcase --mach docker --res ELM_USRDAT --compset ICB1850CNPRDCTCBC --case ~/output/ci_test \