diff --git a/.github/workflows/blt.yml b/.github/workflows/blt.yml
index b0632a75..df412130 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/blt.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/blt.yml
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ jobs:
       run: |
         sudo docker run --rm --detach --name mongodb --publish 27017:27017 \
         --env MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=root --env MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=password \
-        --env MONGO_INITDB_DATABASE=nmdc --env MONGO_USERNAME=root --env MONGO_PASSWORD=password \
-        mongo:latest
+        --env MONGO_INITDB_DATABASE=nmdc \
+        mongo:latest --auth
 #      uses: DigiPie/mongo-action@v2.0.1
 #      with:
 #        mongodb-uri: mongodb://localhost:27017