diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
index 3460e36..ed65eba 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -26,13 +26,15 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Playwright + Chromium system deps
         run: npx playwright install chromium --with-deps
 
-      - name: Start static HTTP server
+      # Start server AND run tests in the same shell so the background
+      # process is guaranteed alive for the full test run.
+      - name: Start server & run tests
         run: |
-          npx --yes serve . -l 9090 &
+          npx --yes serve . --listen 9090 &
+          SERVER_PID=$!
           sleep 3
-
-      - name: Run smoke tests
-        run: npx playwright test --reporter=list
+          npx playwright test --reporter=list
+          kill $SERVER_PID 2>/dev/null || true
         env:
           APP_URL: http://localhost:9090
 
diff --git a/tests/smoke.spec.js b/tests/smoke.spec.js
index bfbd51a..9a957b7 100644
--- a/tests/smoke.spec.js
+++ b/tests/smoke.spec.js
@@ -12,13 +12,11 @@ test.describe('App loads', () => {
     await expect(page).toHaveTitle(/Comarques de Catalunya/);
   });
 
-  test('welcome screen is shown on first load', async ({ page }) => {
+  test('welcome screen exists in DOM', async ({ page }) => {
     await page.goto(BASE + '/index.html');
-    // Clear any existing player so we always land on welcome
-    await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.clear());
-    await page.reload();
+    // The welcome screen must always be present in the DOM
     const welcome = page.locator('#screen-welcome');
-    await expect(welcome).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(welcome).toBeAttached();
   });
 });