diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 0588d99f..cd6ab872 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -39,10 +39,18 @@ jobs:
           sudo dpkg -i mysql-apt-config_0.8.32-1_all.deb
           sudo apt-get update
           sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server
+
+          # Set root password and allow password-based root access
+          sudo mysql -e "ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'root_password';"
+          sudo mysql -e "FLUSH PRIVILEGES;"
+
+          # Start MySQL service
           sudo service mysql start
-          sudo mysql -e 'CREATE DATABASE edx_notes_api;'
-          sudo mysql -e "CREATE USER 'notes001'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secret';"
-          sudo mysql -e "GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON edx_notes_api.* TO 'notes001'@'localhost';"
+
+          # Create database and user
+          mysql -u root -proot_password -e 'CREATE DATABASE edx_notes_api;'
+          mysql -u root -proot_password -e "CREATE USER 'notes001'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secret';"
+          mysql -u root -proot_password -e "GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON edx_notes_api.* TO 'notes001'@'localhost';"
 
       - name: Install Elasticsearch
         run: |