diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index d2a1799..b80733d 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -986,8 +986,8 @@ jobs:
           ")
 
           if [ "$LATEST" = "NONE" ]; then
-            echo "No Rancher backups found in B2; refusing to continue without restored Rancher state." >&2
-            exit 1
+            echo "No Rancher backups found in B2. Skipping restore; rancher-backup will create future backups."
+            exit 0
           fi
 
           BACKUP_FILE=$(basename "$LATEST")