diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index f22ccbf7..6987f766 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           go-version: "1.25"
 
+      - name: Create web build placeholder for embed
+        run: mkdir -p web/build && echo "placeholder" > web/build/.gitkeep
+
       - name: Run tests
         run: go test ./...
 
@@ -36,6 +39,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           go-version: "1.25"
 
+      - name: Create web build placeholder for embed
+        run: mkdir -p web/build && echo "placeholder" > web/build/.gitkeep
+
       - name: Run go vet
         run: go vet ./...