diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
index b90ef49..ba69fb4 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: "Install SSH for image builds"
         working-directory: ./plugeth-statediff
         run: |
+          set -ex
           mkdir -p _dev/.ssh
+          [[ -n "${{ secrets.CI_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}" ]]
           echo "${{ secrets.CI_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}" > _dev/.ssh/id_rsa
           chmod 0600 _dev/.ssh/id_rsa
           ssh-keyscan git.vdb.to >> _dev/.ssh/known_hosts