diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 1b15772..b9d8146 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -5,9 +5,6 @@ stages:
   - test
   - deploy
 
-variables:
-  FLAKE_COMMIT: "main"
-
 # Update the flake for any changes upstream
 # Passed in from upstream
 # $PACKAGE_NAME = name of the flake that needs to be updated
@@ -35,7 +32,11 @@ update:
     - git remote rm origin && git remote add origin ssh://git@gitlab.skynet.ie:2222/compsoc/skynet/nixos.git
     - git push origin HEAD:$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME
     # update teh hash for further along in the pipeline
-    - $FLAKE_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
+    # https://nsirap.com/posts/043-change-value-of-variable-in-gitlab%20copy/
+    - echo "FLAKE_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse HEAD)" >> flake.env
+  artifacts:
+    reports:
+      dotenv: flake.env
   only:
     refs:
       - main
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ build:
   before_script:
     - . "$HOME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh"
     # use the new flake
-    - git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT
+    - (if [ "$FLAKE_COMMIT" != "" ]; git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT; fi);
   script:
     - nix --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' run nixpkgs#colmena -- build
 
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ deploy:
     - chmod 700 ~/.ssh
     # load nix environment
     - . "$HOME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh"
-    - git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT
+    - (if [ "$FLAKE_COMMIT" != "" ]; git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT; fi);
   script:
       # dns is always deployed first
     - nix --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' run nixpkgs#colmena -- apply --on @active-dns