diff --git a/pan3d/dataset_viewer.py b/pan3d/dataset_viewer.py
index 4e2729fb..ae1643ab 100644
--- a/pan3d/dataset_viewer.py
+++ b/pan3d/dataset_viewer.py
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ def set_render_options(
         transparency_function: str = None,
         scalar_warp: bool = False,
         cartographic: bool = False,
+        render: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         """Set available options for rendering data.
 
@@ -320,6 +321,7 @@ def set_render_options(
             transparency_function: One of PyVista's opacity transfer functions (https://docs.pyvista.org/version/stable/examples/02-plot/opacity.html#transfer-functions)
             scalar_warp: If true, warp the mesh proportional to its scalars.
             cartographic: If true, wrap the mesh around an earth sphere.
+            render: If true, update current render with new values (default=True)
         """
         if self.state.render_colormap != colormap:
             self.state.render_colormap = colormap
@@ -332,7 +334,11 @@ def set_render_options(
         if self.state.render_cartographic != cartographic:
             self.state.render_cartographic = cartographic
 
-        if self.builder.mesh is not None and self.builder.data_array is not None:
+        if (
+            render
+            and self.builder.mesh is not None
+            and self.builder.data_array is not None
+        ):
             self.apply_and_render()
 
     def plot_mesh(self) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/test_viewer.py b/tests/test_viewer.py
index 0af6f72d..303b5a71 100644
--- a/tests/test_viewer.py
+++ b/tests/test_viewer.py
@@ -13,11 +13,7 @@ def push_builder_state(builder):
 def push_viewer_state(viewer):
     # For state updates with callbacks,
     # Ensure the callbacks occur in the correct order
-    viewer.state.update(
-        dict(
-            dataset_info={"source": "xarray", "id": "eraint_uvz"},
-        )
-    )
+    viewer.state.update(dict(dataset_info={"source": "xarray", "id": "eraint_uvz"}))
     viewer.state.flush()
     viewer.state.update(
         dict(
@@ -95,6 +91,9 @@ def test_render_options_state():
         transparency_function="linear_r",
         scalar_warp=True,
         cartographic=False,  # not compatible with this 4D data
+        # geovista GeoPlotter includes a check for GPU availability,
+        # which fails on GH Actions. Disable render in this function.
+        render=False,
     )
 
     assert viewer.state.render_x_scale == 2
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ def test_render_options_state():
     assert viewer.state.render_transparency
     assert viewer.state.render_transparency_function == "linear_r"
     assert viewer.state.render_scalar_warp
-    assert viewer.state.render_cartographic
+    assert not viewer.state.render_cartographic
 
 
 def test_viewer_export():