diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index 9edb1f5..7da0cd3 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cat ~/.kube/config
 
+      - name: Validate kubeconfig
+        run: |
+          if ! kubectl version --client && kubectl cluster-info; then
+            echo "❌ Failed to connect to cluster"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
       - name: Create ConfigMap for app files
         run: |
           kubectl create configmap hosting-frontend-files \