diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 6b635a2..34ee72b 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ python_tests:
 # Deploy to stage (main branch)
 deploy_stage:
   stage: deploy
+  needs: [build_image]
   image: deps.global.bsf.tools/registry-1.docker.io/alpine/k8s:1.29.12
   variables:
     ENV: stage
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ deploy_stage:
 # Deploy feature branch to dev namespace
 deploy_feature:
   stage: deploy
+  needs: [build_image]
   image: deps.global.bsf.tools/registry-1.docker.io/alpine/k8s:1.29.12
   variables:
     NAMESPACE: orch-dev-namespace