diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index b16bc6610e..22a6cdbb75 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -439,10 +439,9 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           echo "Disk space before cleanup:"
           df -h
-          echo "Removing unwanted software to free up disk space..."
-          sudo rm -rf /usr/share/dotnet /usr/local/lib/android /opt/ghc /opt/hostedtoolcache/CodeQL
-          echo "Disk space after cleanup:"
-          df -h
+          echo "Starting background cleanup process..."
+          python3 -c "import os; os.fork() or os.execvp('sudo', ['sudo', 'rm', '-rf', '/usr/share/dotnet', '/usr/local/lib/android', '/opt/ghc', '/opt/hostedtoolcache/CodeQL'])"
+          echo "Cleanup running in background, continuing with workflow..."
 
       - name: List components
         run: echo ${{ matrix.components }}