diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml b/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
index be2a7a8..a92935e 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -80,9 +80,12 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
 
-          # python is provided by actions/setup-python and is on PATH for this step.
+          # python is provided by the host (machine-wide install in PATH).
+          # Requires Python >=3.11 per pyproject.toml.
           $py = (Get-Command python -ErrorAction Stop).Source
           Write-Host "Using python: $py"
+          & $py --version
+          if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "python --version failed" }
 
           if (-not (Test-Path "$env:VENV_DIR\Scripts\python.exe")) {
             Write-Host "Creating venv at $env:VENV_DIR"