diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/docker-publish.yml b/.gitea/workflows/docker-publish.yml
index 2b610cd..e42ce98 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/docker-publish.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/docker-publish.yml
@@ -13,8 +13,14 @@ jobs:
       REGISTRY: gitea.dataprovider01.sandbox-cat-dat.simpl-europe.eu
       IMAGE_REPO: gitea.dataprovider01.sandbox-cat-dat.simpl-europe.eu/j.r/template-code-location
     steps:
-      - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Validate workspace
+        run: |
+          pwd
+          ls -la
+          if [ ! -f "Dockerfile" ]; then
+            echo "Dockerfile not found in workspace. Configure runner to provide repository checkout."
+            exit 1
+          fi
 
       - name: Validate registry secrets
         run: |