diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 797fc01..dc2d85f 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -217,7 +217,8 @@ deploy-production:
   needs:
     - build-frontend
     - test-backend
-    - verify-staging
+    - job: verify-staging
+      optional: true
 
 # =============================================================================
 # STAGE 6: Post-deploy verification