diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_cmake.yml b/.github/workflows/build_cmake.yml
index c6b292f12..ad3552e53 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_cmake.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_cmake.yml
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ jobs:
       # run: ctest -C $BUILD_TYPE
       run: |
         source ${{github.workspace}}/.github/CI/spack_setup.sh
+        # enable devices only in tests that explicitely require them
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_cuda_enabled=0
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_hip_enabled=0
+        # restrict memory use for oversubscribed runners
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_cuda_memory_use=10
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_hip_memory_use=10
         ctest --output-on-failure
 
     - name: Save Artifact
@@ -196,6 +202,12 @@ jobs:
       # run: ctest -C $BUILD_TYPE
       run: |
         source ${{github.workspace}}/.github/CI/spack_setup.sh
+        # enable devices only in tests that explicitely require them
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_cuda_enabled=0
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_hip_enabled=0
+        # restrict memory use for oversubscribed runners
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_cuda_memory_use=10
+        PARSEC_MCA_device_hip_memory_use=10
         ctest --output-on-failure
 
     - name: Save Testing Artifact