diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index 5bbac1d..055a18b 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Deploy with Docker Compose
         run: |
           docker compose --project-name galaxis-po --env-file .env.prod -f docker-compose.prod.yml build
-          docker compose --project-name galaxis-po --env-file .env.prod -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d
+          # Ensure DB is running without recreating it (existing volume password must be preserved)
+          docker compose --project-name galaxis-po --env-file .env.prod -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d --no-recreate postgres
+          # Recreate only app containers
+          docker compose --project-name galaxis-po --env-file .env.prod -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d --no-deps --force-recreate backend frontend
 
       - name: Health check
         run: |