diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index 681af38..357f1ae 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -90,8 +90,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           sudo systemctl restart zhixi-api
           sleep 3
-          sudo systemctl is-active zhixi-api
-          echo "[deploy] zhixi-api active OK"
+          if sudo systemctl is-active zhixi-api; then
+            echo "[deploy] zhixi-api active OK"
+          else
+            echo "[deploy] zhixi-api FAILED to start — checking logs:"
+            sudo journalctl -u zhixi-api --no-pager -n 100
+            exit 1
+          fi
 
       - name: Deploy RAG Worker
         run: |