diff --git a/profiles/gitea.nix b/profiles/gitea.nix
index 49e4c2e..cfee7bb 100644
--- a/profiles/gitea.nix
+++ b/profiles/gitea.nix
@@ -45,6 +45,16 @@
     };
   };
 
+  systemd = {
+    services = {
+      gitea = {
+        # Ensure gitea starts after nixops keys are loaded
+        after = ["gitea-dbpass-key.service"];
+        wants = ["gitea-dbpass-key.service"];
+      };
+    };
+  };
+
   services.postgresql = {
     enable = true; # Ensure postgresql is enabled
     authentication = ''