diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index a1ff376..e60f980 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install & build frontend
         working-directory: frontend
         env:
-          VITE_API_URL: ${{ secrets.VITE_API_URL }}
+          VITE_API_URL: ${{ secrets.VITE_API_URL || 'https://origins.tetardtek.com/api' }}
           VITE_SUPEROAUTH_URL: ${{ secrets.VITE_SUPEROAUTH_URL }}
           VITE_OAUTH_URL: ${{ secrets.VITE_SUPEROAUTH_URL }}
           VITE_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID: origins