diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 562ccf717f83a1414cd3c5b42c9694349633c205..e1aa97294057781c00fdc4fb59def17c6ef97b53 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -48,14 +48,14 @@ stages:
   - if [ -f license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt ]; then
       # add license headers to new files
   -   echo "File license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt already exists. License headers are assumed to be updated. Adding headers to new files..."
-  -   ./license_manager.sh --add --path=${CI_PROJECT_DIR} --license-header=license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt
+  -   ./license_manager.sh --add --path=${CI_PROJECT_DIR} --license-header=license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt --exclude=ci_deps
   - else
       # update license headers of all files
   -   export PREV_YEAR=$(( CURRENT_YEAR-1 ))
   -   echo "Creating new file license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt..."
   -   git mv license_header_${PREV_YEAR}.txt license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt
   -   sed -i "s/${PREV_YEAR}/${PREV_YEAR},${CURRENT_YEAR}/g" license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt
-  -   ./license_manager.sh --update --path=${CI_PROJECT_DIR} --license-header=license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt
+  -   ./license_manager.sh --update --path=${CI_PROJECT_DIR} --license-header=license_header_${CURRENT_YEAR}.txt --exclude=ci_deps
   - fi
   - cd ..