diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/docker.yml b/.gitea/workflows/docker.yml
index eb5e135..3cbfc8f 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/docker.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/docker.yml
@@ -40,6 +40,23 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build dist in Node container
         run: |
           set -e
+          # ensure curl available
+          if ! command -v curl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            if command -v apt-get >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              apt-get update -y
+              apt-get install -y curl ca-certificates
+            elif command -v yum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              yum install -y curl ca-certificates
+            elif command -v dnf >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              dnf install -y curl ca-certificates
+            elif command -v apk >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              apk add --no-cache curl ca-certificates
+            elif command -v zypper >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              zypper install -y curl ca-certificates
+            else
+              echo "No known package manager found to install curl"; exit 1
+            fi
+          fi
           export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
           if [ ! -d "$NVM_DIR" ]; then
             curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash