diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
index 2ebb1f8..f1ca636 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
@@ -486,16 +486,8 @@ jobs:
                 RELOAD_RESULT=$?
                 if [ $RELOAD_RESULT -eq 0 ]; then
                     echo "✅ nginx reloaded successfully"
-                else
-                    echo "❌ nginx reload failed with exit code $RELOAD_RESULT"
-                    sudo systemctl status nginx --no-pager || true
-                fi
-            else
-                echo "❌ nginx configuration test failed!"
-                sudo nginx -t || true
-                exit 1
-            fi
 
+                    # Only proceed with post-reload checks if nginx reload was successful
                 # Wait for services to stabilize after reload
                 echo "⏳ Waiting for services to stabilize after reload..."
                 sleep 5
@@ -685,11 +677,14 @@ jobs:
 
                 echo "✅ Web app deployment completed"
             else
-                echo "❌ nginx configuration test failed!"
-                sudo nginx -t || true
-                exit 1
+                echo "❌ nginx reload failed, skipping post-reload checks"
             fi
-            ' || echo "Step timed out after 20 minutes"
+        else
+            echo "❌ nginx configuration test failed!"
+            sudo nginx -t || true
+            exit 1
+        fi
+        ' || echo "Step timed out after 20 minutes"
           ENDSSH
 
   final-verification: