diff --git a/k8s/gitea-runners/deployment.yaml b/k8s/gitea-runners/deployment.yaml
index 0f4f534..bafc695 100644
--- a/k8s/gitea-runners/deployment.yaml
+++ b/k8s/gitea-runners/deployment.yaml
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ spec:
         - |
           apk add --no-cache nodejs npm || true
           cd /data
+          if [ ! -f .runner ]; then
+            /usr/local/bin/act_runner register --instance "$GITEA_INSTANCE_URL" --token "$GITEA_RUNNER_REGISTRATION_TOKEN" --name "$GITEA_RUNNER_NAME" --labels "$GITEA_RUNNER_LABELS" --no-interactive || true
+          fi
           exec /usr/local/bin/act_runner daemon
         env:
         - name: GITEA_INSTANCE_URL