diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
index 85823b9..76e27ce 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -49,6 +49,14 @@ jobs:
           # Verify DinD is still working
           docker exec ci-dind docker version
         fi
+        
+        # If container exists but is not running, start it
+        if docker ps -a --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}" | grep -q "^ci-dind.*Exited\|^ci-dind.*Created"; then
+          echo "DinD container exists but is not running, starting it..."
+          docker start ci-dind
+          # Wait for DinD to be ready
+          timeout 60 bash -c 'until docker exec ci-dind docker version; do sleep 2; done'
+        fi
 
     - name: Checkout code to DinD container
       run: |