diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 91817133..2f721d9e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     # to test a feature, change the repo name to your github id
-    if: github.repository_owner == 'tl-its-umich-edu'
+    if: github.repository_owner == 'tl-its-umich-edu' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps: