diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 96f3063..084906a 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -18,9 +18,21 @@ addons:
     - timeout 10 godot --headless --editor --verbose || true
   only:
     - main
+    - develop
+
+# 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
   only: