diff --git a/workspace/sprint_1_2/CODEBASE/deps/implementation/backend_deploy/gitea_modal_build.py b/workspace/sprint_1_2/CODEBASE/deps/implementation/backend_deploy/gitea_modal_build.py
index 5ade8fb..901eacb 100644
--- a/workspace/sprint_1_2/CODEBASE/deps/implementation/backend_deploy/gitea_modal_build.py
+++ b/workspace/sprint_1_2/CODEBASE/deps/implementation/backend_deploy/gitea_modal_build.py
@@ -25,10 +25,11 @@ import modal
 # Get the directory where this script actually lives on the machine running it
 SCRIPT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
 
-# Automatically resolve the root of the repository (climbing up 3 levels)
-# From: deps/implementation/backend_deploy/gitea_modal_build.py
-# To:   CODEBASE/
-PROJECT_ROOT = SCRIPT_DIR.parents[2]
+# Walk up until we find a marker directory that identifies the repo root.
+# This makes the script robust regardless of where Modal mounts it.
+PROJECT_ROOT = SCRIPT_DIR
+while not (PROJECT_ROOT / "backend").exists() and PROJECT_ROOT != PROJECT_ROOT.parent:
+    PROJECT_ROOT = PROJECT_ROOT.parent
 
 # Explicitly find your local Dockerfile
 DOCKERFILE_PATH = SCRIPT_DIR / "Dockerfile"