diff --git a/.github/workflows/update-manifest.yaml b/.github/workflows/update-manifest.yaml
index 677d643..de26549 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update-manifest.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update-manifest.yaml
@@ -45,11 +45,12 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cd k8s-config
           NEW_IMAGE="ghcr.io/techtorque-2025/${SERVICE_NAME}:${{ steps.info.outputs.branch }}-${{ steps.info.outputs.sha }}"
-          
+
           echo "🔄 Updating ${DEPLOYMENT_FILE} to use image: ${NEW_IMAGE}"
-          
-          yq eval -i \
-            '(select(.kind == "Deployment") | .spec.template.spec.containers[0].image) = env(NEW_IMAGE)' \
+
+          # Use yq --arg instead of env() so we don't need to export the variable; this is robust on GH runners
+          yq eval -i --arg new_image "${NEW_IMAGE}" \
+            '(select(.kind == "Deployment") | .spec.template.spec.containers[0].image) = $new_image' \
             k8s/services/${DEPLOYMENT_FILE}
           
           echo "✅ Updated manifest:"