diff --git a/.circleci/config.yml b/.circleci/config.yml
index ab7a0c6f37b14..8bab2a1c04052 100644
--- a/.circleci/config.yml
+++ b/.circleci/config.yml
@@ -86,33 +86,6 @@ services_steps: &services_steps
     - store_test_results:
         path: junit
 
-run_package_tests: &run_package_tests
-  when: always
-  command: |
-    # https://discuss.circleci.com/t/switch-nodejs-version-on-machine-executor-solved/26675/3
-    set +e
-    export NVM_DIR="/opt/circleci/.nvm"
-    [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
-    nvm install $NODE_VERSION
-    nvm use $NODE_VERSION
-    node --version
-
-    # install the shields.io dependencies
-    npm ci
-
-    # run the package tests
-    npm run test:package
-    npm run check-types:package
-
-    # delete the sheilds.io dependencies
-    rm -rf node_modules/
-
-    # run a smoke test (render a badge with the CLI)
-    # with only the package dependencies installed
-    cd badge-maker
-    npm link
-    badge cactus grown :green @flat
-
 package_steps: &package_steps
   steps:
     - checkout
@@ -132,31 +105,31 @@ package_steps: &package_steps
     # https://nodejs.org/en/about/releases/
 
     - run:
-        <<: *run_package_tests
         environment:
           mocha_reporter: mocha-junit-reporter
           MOCHA_FILE: junit/badge-maker/v10/results.xml
           NODE_VERSION: v10
           CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY: 0
         name: Run package tests on Node 10
+        command: scripts/run_package_tests.sh
 
     - run:
-        <<: *run_package_tests
         environment:
           mocha_reporter: mocha-junit-reporter
           MOCHA_FILE: junit/badge-maker/v12/results.xml
           NODE_VERSION: v12
           CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY: 0
         name: Run package tests on Node 12
+        command: scripts/run_package_tests.sh
 
     - run:
-        <<: *run_package_tests
         environment:
           mocha_reporter: mocha-junit-reporter
           MOCHA_FILE: junit/badge-maker/v14/results.xml
           NODE_VERSION: v14
           CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY: 0
         name: Run package tests on Node 14
+        command: scripts/run_package_tests.sh
 
     - store_test_results:
         path: junit
diff --git a/scripts/run_package_tests.sh b/scripts/run_package_tests.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000000..e2fe45ec4887e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/run_package_tests.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# https://discuss.circleci.com/t/switch-nodejs-version-on-machine-executor-solved/26675/3
+
+# Start off less strict to work around various nvm errors.
+set -e
+export NVM_DIR="/opt/circleci/.nvm"
+[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && source "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
+nvm install $NODE_VERSION
+nvm use $NODE_VERSION
+
+# Stricter.
+set -euo pipefail
+node --version
+
+# Install the shields.io dependencies.
+if [[ "$NODE_VERSION" == "v10" ]]; then
+    # Avoid a depcheck error.
+    npm ci --ignore-scripts
+else
+    npm ci
+fi
+
+# Run the package tests.
+npm run test:package
+npm run check-types:package
+
+# Delete the shields.io dependencies.
+rm -rf node_modules/
+
+# Run a smoke test (render a badge with the CLI) with only the package
+# dependencies installed.
+cd badge-maker
+npm link
+badge cactus grown :green @flat