diff --git a/.github/workflows/checks.yaml b/.github/workflows/checks.yaml
index 7e16ae1..b0abb9b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/checks.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/checks.yaml
@@ -35,3 +35,15 @@ jobs:
           node-version: 20
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm run build
+
+  build-website: # sanity check that the Astro website builds without errors
+    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 22
+      - run: npm ci
+        working-directory: website
+      - run: npm run build
+        working-directory: website