diff --git a/.github/workflows/spine-cpp-compatibility.yml b/.github/workflows/spine-cpp-compatibility.yml
index 1a48a1c80..537e2c46a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/spine-cpp-compatibility.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/spine-cpp-compatibility.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ jobs:
         key: ${{ runner.os }}-gradle-${{ hashFiles('**/*.gradle*') }}
         restore-keys: ${{ runner.os }}-gradle
 
+    - name: Build spine-libgdx first
+      working-directory: spine-libgdx
+      run: ./gradlew build
+
     - name: Run C++ vs Java compatibility test
       working-directory: tests
       run: ./test.sh cpp -s spineboy -f