diff --git a/ct/forgejo-runner.sh b/ct/forgejo-runner.sh
index 06f2b3f4..85faf97c 100644
--- a/ct/forgejo-runner.sh
+++ b/ct/forgejo-runner.sh
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ function update_script() {
 }
 
 # Fail early if running unattended without required values
-if [[ -n "${mode:-}" ]]; then
+# Only check when there's no TTY (truly non-interactive, e.g. piped or scripted)
+if [[ -n "${mode:-}" && ! -t 0 ]]; then
   if [[ -z "${var_forgejo_instance:-}" ]]; then
     msg_error "var_forgejo_instance is required for unattended installs."
     exit 1