diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 7d5e580765..6369876ee8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -257,18 +257,20 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v2
 
-      - name: Build V
-        run: |
-          make CC=clang
-      - name: Show PWD and Environment
+      - name: Show Environment
         run: |
           echo "PWD:"
           pwd
-          echo "ENVIRONMENT"
+          echo "ENVIRONMENT:"
           env
+          echo "C Compiler:"
+          gcc --version
+
+      - name: Build V
+        run: CC=gcc make
+
       - name: Test V fixed tests
-        run: |
-          ./v -silent test-self
+        run: ./v -silent test-self
 
   macos:
     needs: no-scheduling
diff --git a/vlib/v/builder/cc.v b/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
index 7b8166f219..4e4187982f 100644
--- a/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
+++ b/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
@@ -552,13 +552,16 @@ fn (mut v Builder) cc() {
 		v.setup_output_name()
 
 		if v.pref.os != .windows && ccompiler.contains('++') {
-			for file in v.parsed_files {
-				if file.imports.any(it.mod.contains('sync')) {
-					x := @VEXE + ' run ' +
-						os.join_path(@VEXEROOT, 'thirdparty', 'stdatomic', 'nix', 'cpp', 'gen.v') +
-						' ' + ccompiler
-					os.execute(x)
-					break
+			cpp_atomic_h_path := '${@VEXEROOT}/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/atomic.h'
+			if !os.exists(cpp_atomic_h_path) {
+				for file in v.parsed_files {
+					if file.imports.any(it.mod.contains('sync')) {
+						$if trace_stdatomic_gen {
+							eprintln('> creating $cpp_atomic_h_path ...')
+						}
+						os.execute('$vexe run ${@VEXEROOT}/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v $ccompiler')
+						break
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}