diff --git a/ExerciseChecker/.gitlab-ci/01_functions.yml b/ExerciseChecker/.gitlab-ci/01_functions.yml
index e77ccd8adc262354fa3941e9db0b2ad25228e9e9..f0675a514e20658a7d87932f65073487c89cc028 100644
--- a/ExerciseChecker/.gitlab-ci/01_functions.yml
+++ b/ExerciseChecker/.gitlab-ci/01_functions.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@
         - apk add curl
 
         # Init docker buildx
-        - docker login -u $DOCKER_REGISTRY_USER -p $DOCKER_REGISTRY_PASSWORD $DOCKER_REGISTRY
+        - |
+            if [ $CI_COMMIT_REF_PROTECTED == "true" ]; then
+                docker login -u $DOCKER_REGISTRY_USER -p $DOCKER_REGISTRY_PASSWORD $DOCKER_REGISTRY
+            fi
         - docker buildx create --use
 
         # Get version from package.json