diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr.yml b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
index 3c9678a5a8d..0c1fabb58ad 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
@@ -305,6 +305,12 @@ jobs:
         with:
           native-runtime: node
 
+      # Same as the sharded `test` job: importing host/renderer wire modules
+      # loads Electron, and Electron's own installer has no retry. The dedicated
+      # script retries GitHub CDN flakes instead of failing the suite at import.
+      - name: Install Electron package binary for tests
+        run: node config/scripts/install-electron-package-binary.mjs
+
       # A path filter that matches nothing exits 1 ("No test files found"), so this
       # lane cannot report success while running zero tests.
       - name: Old/new client and server terminal journey