diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 7aba217..6193845 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -21,6 +21,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
 
+      - name: Smoke test - verify binary runs
+        run: |
+          echo "Testing --help flag..."
+          docker run --rm antonmedv/gitmal:test --help
+          
+          echo "Smoke test passed!"
+
       - name: Build and push
         uses: docker/build-push-action@v5
         with:
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index be5d3ce..8f70afd 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RUN go mod download
 
 COPY . .
 
-RUN go build -o gitmal .
+RUN CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -o gitmal .
 
 FROM alpine