diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/production.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/production.yaml
index 27a6bb7..e6dda30 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/production.yaml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/production.yaml
@@ -296,6 +296,22 @@ jobs:
             fi
           done
 
+      - name: Wait for backend health
+        run: |
+          for i in 1 2 3 4 5 6; do
+            if docker exec mvp-backend-$TARGET_STACK curl -sf http://localhost:3001/health > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+              echo "OK: Backend health check passed"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+            if [ $i -eq 6 ]; then
+              echo "ERROR: Backend health check failed after 6 attempts"
+              docker logs mvp-backend-$TARGET_STACK --tail 100
+              exit 1
+            fi
+            echo "Attempt $i/6: Backend not ready, waiting 10s..."
+            sleep 10
+          done
+
       - name: External health check
         run: |
           REQUIRED_FEATURES='["admin","auth","onboarding","vehicles","documents","fuel-logs","stations","maintenance","platform","notifications","user-profile","user-preferences","user-export"]'