diff --git a/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml b/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
index f782046..14f81ba 100644
--- a/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
+++ b/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
@@ -131,10 +131,11 @@ jobs:
   test:
     name: Tests
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs: lint
-    # Run only when lint succeeded; always() forces evaluation so a skipped
-    # lint (e.g. template repos) skips this job cleanly instead of hanging.
-    if: ${{ always() && needs.lint.result == 'success' }}
+    # Independent job (no `needs: lint`): the Gitea Actions scheduler does not
+    # offer the dependent 2nd job of a needs-chain to runners, so it stalls in
+    # "waiting" and is reaped by ABANDONED_JOB_TIMEOUT. Guard template repos
+    # directly (same condition lint uses) instead of gating on lint's result.
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.repository.name, 'Template-') }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout