diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/build_workflow.yml
index 79661553c..0aa40af46 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_workflow.yml
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 env:
-  CANCEL_OTHERS: true
+  CANCEL_OTHERS: false
   PATHS_IGNORE: '["**/README.md", "**/docs/**"]'
 
 jobs:
   pre-commit-hooks:
     name: lint with pre-commit
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 2
+    timeout-minutes: 5
     steps:
       - id: skip_check
         uses: fkirc/skip-duplicate-actions@master
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           activate-environment: "polaris_ci"
           miniforge-version: latest
-          channels: conda-forge,e3sm/label/polaris,defaults
+          channels: conda-forge,e3sm/label/polaris
           channel-priority: strict
           auto-update-conda: true
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs_workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/docs_workflow.yml
index 2bca4270f..cf113ba51 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs_workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs_workflow.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           activate-environment: "polaris_ci"
           miniforge-version: latest
-          channels: conda-forge,e3sm/label/polaris,defaults
+          channels: conda-forge,e3sm/label/polaris
           channel-priority: strict
           auto-update-conda: true
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}