diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index dc8ac539a3a09..e92afc14c20da 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -182,11 +182,6 @@ jobs:
       - name: install MinGW
         run: src/ci/scripts/install-mingw.sh
 
-      # Workaround for spurious ci failures after mingw install
-      # see https://rust-lang.zulipchat.com/#narrow/channel/242791-t-infra/topic/Spurious.20bors.20CI.20failures/near/528915775
-      - name: ensure home dir exists
-        run: mkdir -p ~
-
       - name: install ninja
         run: src/ci/scripts/install-ninja.sh
 
diff --git a/src/ci/scripts/install-mingw.sh b/src/ci/scripts/install-mingw.sh
index ad852071f2950..ed87628659b41 100755
--- a/src/ci/scripts/install-mingw.sh
+++ b/src/ci/scripts/install-mingw.sh
@@ -43,4 +43,9 @@ if isWindows && isKnownToBeMingwBuild; then
     curl -o mingw.7z "${MIRRORS_BASE}/${mingw_archive}"
     7z x -y mingw.7z > /dev/null
     ciCommandAddPath "$(cygpath -m "$(pwd)/${mingw_dir}/bin")"
+
+    # Initialize mingw for the user.
+    # This should be done by github but isn't for some reason.
+    # (see https://github.com/actions/runner-images/issues/12600)
+    /c/msys64/usr/bin/bash -lc ' '
 fi