diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
index e98a96b6..2174d600 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -206,7 +206,8 @@ jobs:
           cp docker-compose.yml /opt/meshcore-deploy/docker-compose.yml
 
           # Run compose from the repo checkout (where docker-compose.yml lives)
-          docker compose --profile staging up -d --force-recreate staging
+          docker rm -f meshcore-staging 2>/dev/null || true
+docker compose --profile staging up -d staging
 
           # Wait for Docker healthcheck — give it up to 5 minutes (big DB)
           for i in $(seq 1 300); do