diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
index f2a18c7..aa3a324 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -255,7 +255,8 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: bugulma/backend
         run: |
           # Check if Docker is available for testcontainers
-          if command -v docker &> /dev/null && docker info &> /dev/null; then
+          # Allow forcing Docker testing with DOCKER_FORCE=true (useful for local development)
+          if [ "$DOCKER_FORCE" = "true" ] || (command -v docker &> /dev/null && docker info &> /dev/null 2>&1); then
             echo "✅ Docker available - running all tests with testcontainers"
             echo "🧪 Testcontainers will provide isolated PostgreSQL instances"