diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-pull-request.yml b/.github/workflows/test-pull-request.yml
index 507f72a..638a6bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-pull-request.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-pull-request.yml
@@ -62,7 +62,11 @@ jobs:
   # it to validate it still compiles (e.g. a Dependabot ubuntu:noble bump).
   smoke-build:
     name: Smoke build job
-    needs: [changes]
+    # Also gate on test-release: the smoke build builds Docker images, so don't
+    # spend it when the test job is already failing. A failed test-release
+    # leaves this job skipped (needs unsatisfied) and the aggregator blocks on
+    # the test-release failure directly.
+    needs: [changes, test-release]
     if: ${{ needs.changes.outputs.image == 'true' }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/build-docker-task.yml
     secrets: inherit