diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/release.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/release.yaml
index e9a480a..b1895af 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -392,11 +392,20 @@ jobs:
             sed -i -e '/./,$!d' release-notes.md
           fi
           [ -s release-notes.md ] || echo "_See CHANGELOG.md for ${VERSION}._" > release-notes.md
-          python3 - "$TAG" "$SHA" <<'PY' > cb-payload.json
+          # The pipeline creates the tag via the Gitea API, which the push mirror
+          # (sync_on_commit only fires on real git pushes) doesn't propagate
+          # promptly — so a release POST that carries a target_commitish can
+          # outrun the mirror and 500 on a commit/tag Codeberg hasn't received.
+          # Push the tag straight to Codeberg so it's guaranteed present, then
+          # attach the release to that existing tag with NO target_commitish
+          # (which is what triggered the 500).
+          git tag -f "$TAG" "$SHA"
+          git push -f "https://jlmakiola:${TOKEN}@codeberg.org/jlmakiola/calendula.git" \
+            "refs/tags/$TAG"
+          python3 - "$TAG" <<'PY' > cb-payload.json
           import json, sys
           print(json.dumps({
               "tag_name": sys.argv[1],
-              "target_commitish": sys.argv[2],
               "name": sys.argv[1],
               "body": open("release-notes.md").read(),
               "draft": False,