diff --git a/.github/workflows/functional.yml b/.github/workflows/functional.yml
index 3f683da72b..da48eb27f8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/functional.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/functional.yml
@@ -108,6 +108,14 @@ jobs:
           version: latest
           args: build --snapshot --clean
 
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@343f7c4344506bcbf9b4de18042ae17996df046d # v3.0.0
+        if: ${{ github.event_name != 'pull_request' && ! contains(inputs.image, 'plus') }}
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.repository_owner }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Build NGF Docker Image
         uses: docker/build-push-action@4a13e500e55cf31b7a5d59a38ab2040ab0f42f56 # v5.1.0
         with: