diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index 68be2d1530a1..2d364b3e3b35 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -16,9 +16,23 @@ on:
       - '!CODEOWNERS'
       - '!.git*'
   pull_request_target:
-    paths: ${{ push.paths }}
+    paths:
+      # Conservatively run the tests. However, skip them if the only paths in
+      # the pull request match files that we know don't impact the build.
+      - '**'
+      - '!**/*.md'
+      - '!LICENSE'
+      - '!CODEOWNERS'
+      - '!.git*'
   merge_group:
-    paths: ${{ push.paths }}
+    paths:
+      # Conservatively run the tests. However, skip them if the only paths in
+      # the pull request match files that we know don't impact the build.
+      - '**'
+      - '!**/*.md'
+      - '!LICENSE'
+      - '!CODEOWNERS'
+      - '!.git*'
 
 # Cancel previous workflows on the PR when there are multiple fast commits.
 # https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/workflow-syntax-for-github-actions#concurrency