diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 3041322..cf377c4 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -23,9 +23,18 @@ addons:
   rules:
     - if: '$CI_COMMIT_TAG =~ /^v\d\.\d\.\d$/'
 
+# run tests
+tests:
+  stage: tests
+  needs: [ "addons" ]
+  script:
+    - godot --headless --path "$PWD" -s addons/gut/gut_cmdln.gd
+  only:
+    - main
+    - develop
+
 # export binaries
 .export_presets:
-  needs: [ "tests" ]
   before_script:
     - cp "$EXPORT_PRESETS" export_presets.cfg
     - export ZIP_ARCHIVE_NAME="$EXPORT_NAME-$CI_COMMIT_TAG-$CI_JOB_NAME.zip"