diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/dev.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/dev.yaml
index 3cc6377..b903aa2 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/dev.yaml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/dev.yaml
@@ -123,10 +123,11 @@ jobs:
           echo "=== manifest ==="
           cat manifest.el
           echo "=== running elb ==="
-          "$ELB" \
+          # stdbuf -oL forces line-buffered stdout so output isn't lost if elb fails.
+          # Without it, println output buffers in the C pipe and evaporates on non-zero exit.
+          stdbuf -oL "$ELB" \
             --elc="$ELC" \
             --runtime="$EL_RUNTIME"
-          echo "elb exit: $?"
           echo "Binary: $(ls -lh dist/neuron-landing)"
 
       # ── Compile JS client sources ─────────────────────────────────────────