diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 586b3c5..86bd5ec 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ update:
         - machines/**/*
         - secrets/**/*
 
+linter:
+  <<: *builder
+  stage: test
+  script:
+    - nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' fmt -- --check .
+
 build:
   <<: *builder
   stage: test
@@ -91,12 +97,6 @@ build:
     - colmena build --on @active-ext
     - colmena build --on @active-gitlab
 
-linter:
-  <<: *builder
-  stage: test
-  script:
-    - nix --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' fmt -- --check .
-
 # dns always has to be deployed first
 deploy_dns:
   <<: *builder