diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/production-deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/production-deploy.yml
index 8889d1d..487a518 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/production-deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/production-deploy.yml
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ jobs:
           export DIRECTUS_URL="${{ vars.DIRECTUS_URL || 'https://cms.dk0.dev' }}"
           export DIRECTUS_STATIC_TOKEN="${{ secrets.DIRECTUS_STATIC_TOKEN || '' }}"
           
+          # Ensure the shared network exists before compose tries to use it
+          docker network create portfolio_net 2>/dev/null || true
+
           # Start new container with updated image (docker-compose will handle this)
           echo "🆕 Starting new production container..."
           echo "📝 Environment check: N8N_WEBHOOK_URL=${N8N_WEBHOOK_URL:-(not set)}"
diff --git a/docker-compose.production.yml b/docker-compose.production.yml
index 2393533..7875a09 100644
--- a/docker-compose.production.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.production.yml
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ volumes:
 
 networks:
   portfolio_net:
-    name: portfolio_net
-    driver: bridge
+    external: true
   proxy:
     external: true