diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI.yml b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
index a607d05d..f242d146 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Bootstrap Plex server
         env:
           PLEXAPI_PLEXAPI_TIMEOUT: "60"
+          THEMERR_CI_TESTING: "true"
         id: bootstrap
         uses: LizardByte/plexhints@feat(action)-add-legacy-tv-agents  # todo - switch back to release version
         with:
diff --git a/Contents/Code/plex_api_helper.py b/Contents/Code/plex_api_helper.py
index 3f402fd3..6236d297 100644
--- a/Contents/Code/plex_api_helper.py
+++ b/Contents/Code/plex_api_helper.py
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ def update_plex_item(rating_key):
                                     except Exception as e:
                                         Log.Error('{}: Error updating summary: {}'.format(item.ratingKey, e))
 
-                if item.isLocked(field='theme'):
+                if item.isLocked(field='theme') and not os.environ.get('THEMERR_CI_TESTING'):
                     Log.Debug('Not overwriting locked theme for {}: {}'.format(item.type, item.title))
                 else:
                     # get youtube_url