diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
index e0fa490..b8ed33a 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -68,6 +68,11 @@ jobs:
           bash -c '
         set -e
         
+        # Install curl first so we can test apt-cacher-ng connectivity
+        echo "Installing curl first..."
+        apt-get update
+        apt-get install -y curl
+        
         # Configure apt to use cacher if available
         # Try multiple methods to reach the apt-cacher-ng service
         APT_CACHER_IP=""
@@ -95,7 +100,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "Apt-cacher-ng not available, using direct connection"
         fi
         
-        # Update and install dependencies
+        # Update and install remaining dependencies
         apt-get update
         apt-get install -y \
           build-essential \
@@ -108,7 +113,6 @@ jobs:
           ninja-build \
           git \
           wget \
-          curl \
           dpkg-dev \
           signify-openbsd \
           python3-pytest \