diff --git a/.github/workflows/check.yml b/.github/workflows/check.yml
index fe0e3485..764e0244 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check.yml
@@ -245,7 +245,13 @@ jobs:
       sqlserver:
         # To run locallly:
         # docker run -it --name mssqlcontainer -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=somepassword' -p 1433:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-CU4-ubuntu-16.04
-        image: docker://mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-CU4-ubuntu-16.04
+        # Using an older version of "mssql/server" explicitly and intentionally.
+        #
+        # "mssql/server" has a newer version (CU28 as of 2024-10-23),
+        # but it reportedly does not start correctly.
+        #
+        # https://learn.microsoft.com/en-ie/answers/questions/1853144/error-failed-to-initialize-container-mcr-microsoft
+        image: docker://mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-CU27-ubuntu-20.04
         options: --name "mssqlcontainer"  --health-cmd "/opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S 127.0.0.1 -U sa -P P@ssw0rd -Q \"SELECT * FROM sys.objects;\"" --health-interval 20s --health-timeout 30s --health-retries 128
         ports:
         - "1433:1433"