diff --git a/.github/workflows/fly-deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/fly-deploy.yml
index 84f5ac7..681a251 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/fly-deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/fly-deploy.yml
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Deploy
         run: |
           if [ -z "${FLY_API_TOKEN}" ]; then
-            echo "Missing FLY_API_TOKEN secret; skipping deploy."
-            exit 0
+            echo "Missing FLY_API_TOKEN repository secret."
+            echo "Add it in GitHub: Settings -> Secrets and variables -> Actions -> New repository secret."
+            exit 1
           fi
 
           APP_NAME="${FLY_APP_NAME:-yappybara-api}"