diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 3e7f69c7..b8feab11 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+variables:
+  NO_DOCKER: 1
+
 earthly:
   stage: build
   image: earthly/earthly:v0.6.28
@@ -5,4 +8,4 @@ earthly:
     - linux
     - amd64
   script:
-    - earthly --ci --buildkit_host tcp://earthly-buildkit:8372 -e NO_DOCKER=1 --allow-privileged +package-linux
+    - earthly --ci --buildkit_host tcp://earthly-buildkit:8372 --allow-privileged +package-linux