diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml b/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
index b205ff8..caf3b0e 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -87,10 +87,20 @@ jobs:
           # does NOT have plain "python" in PATH, but py.exe is installed system-wide.
           $venvPy = Join-Path $env:VENV_DIR 'Scripts\python.exe'
 
+          # Probe: a broken venv (pyvenv.cfg pointing to a deleted base interpreter)
+          # writes "No Python at ..." to stderr; under $ErrorActionPreference='Stop'
+          # native stderr becomes a terminating exception (AGENTS.md error #12),
+          # so probe with SilentlyContinue + try/catch.
           $venvOk = $false
           if (Test-Path $venvPy) {
-            & $venvPy --version 2>&1 | Out-Null
-            if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) { $venvOk = $true }
+            try {
+              $prevEAP = $ErrorActionPreference
+              $ErrorActionPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'
+              & $venvPy --version 2>&1 | Out-Null
+              if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) { $venvOk = $true }
+            }
+            catch { $venvOk = $false }
+            finally { $ErrorActionPreference = $prevEAP }
           }
 
           if (-not $venvOk) {