diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yaml
index bf09a06..a0e8507 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yaml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yaml
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ jobs:
               echo "Expected NVM-managed node/npm not found at $NODE / $NPM" >&2
               exit 1
             fi
+            # Ensure shebangs like "/usr/bin/env node" resolve during npm scripts
+            export PATH="/home/deployuser/.nvm/versions/node/v22.21.0/bin:$PATH"
+            "$NODE" -v
+            "$NPM" -v
             if [ ! -d "$APP_DIR" ]; then
               sudo mkdir -p "$APP_DIR"
               sudo chown "$USER":"$USER" "$APP_DIR"