diff --git a/.ci/test-install-docs.sh b/.ci/test-install-docs.sh
index 09971bc8a3..fffebac28a 100755
--- a/.ci/test-install-docs.sh
+++ b/.ci/test-install-docs.sh
@@ -6,12 +6,23 @@
 
 set -e
 
+# The go binary isn't installed, but we checkout the repos to the standard
+# golang locations.
+export GOPATH=${GOPATH:-${HOME}/go}
+
 info()
 {
 	local msg="$*"
 	echo "INFO: $msg"
 }
 
+setup()
+{
+	source /etc/os-release || source /usr/lib/os-release
+
+	mkdir -p "${GOPATH}"
+}
+
 # Run the kata manager to "execute" the install guide to ensure the commands
 # it specified result in a working system.
 test_distro_install_guide()
@@ -23,8 +34,6 @@ test_distro_install_guide()
 
 	[ ! -e "$GOPATH" ] && die "cannot find $mgr"
 
-	source /etc/os-release
-
 	info "Installing system from the $ID install guide"
 
 	$mgr install-docker-system
@@ -95,4 +104,5 @@ check_install_docs()
 	run_tests
 }
 
+setup
 check_install_docs