diff --git a/.github/workflows/trigger-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/trigger-ci.yml
index 711518d6fe..c7a85029e6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/trigger-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/trigger-ci.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ jobs:
            || github.actor == 'huanghua1994'
            || github.actor == 'mgoldfarb-nvidia'
            || github.actor == 'pggPL'
+           || github.actor == 'vasunvidia'
+           || github.actor == 'erhoo82'
          )
     steps:
       - name: Check if comment is issued by authorized person
diff --git a/build_tools/pytorch.py b/build_tools/pytorch.py
index 7aff2db324..9152229d2f 100644
--- a/build_tools/pytorch.py
+++ b/build_tools/pytorch.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def setup_pytorch_extension(
     # Libraries
     library_dirs = []
     libraries = []
-    if os.getenv("NVTE_UB_WITH_MPI"):
+    if bool(int(os.getenv("NVTE_UB_WITH_MPI", 0))):
         assert (
             os.getenv("MPI_HOME") is not None
         ), "MPI_HOME must be set when compiling with NVTE_UB_WITH_MPI=1"