diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yml
index 4c67f2a..a2ff2b9 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yml
@@ -31,6 +31,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup SSH
         shell: sh
         run: |
+          set -e
+
+          if [ -z "${DEPLOY_SSH_KEY}" ]; then
+            echo "❌ DEPLOY_SSH_KEY is EMPTY"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
           mkdir -p ~/.ssh
           chmod 700 ~/.ssh