diff --git a/.github/workflows/core.yml b/.github/workflows/core.yml
index aeeca016..77a8c1d7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/core.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/core.yml
@@ -66,8 +66,9 @@ jobs:
 
           if [ "$RUNNER_OS" = "Linux" ]; then
             curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | bash
-            # Wait for the server to actually be ready (install.sh starts it, but the
-            # "API is now available" message is printed before it accepts connections)
+            # systemd is not always running on GHA runners, so start manually if needed
+            curl -sf http://localhost:11434/api/tags > /dev/null 2>&1 || ollama serve &
+            # Wait for the server to actually be ready
             for i in $(seq 1 30); do
               curl -sf http://localhost:11434/api/tags > /dev/null 2>&1 && break
               [ "$i" = "30" ] && { echo "Ollama server failed to start"; exit 1; }