diff --git a/host-agent/ensure-apt-deploy-test-containers.sh b/host-agent/ensure-apt-deploy-test-containers.sh
index b9fa4a2..5e4e160 100755
--- a/host-agent/ensure-apt-deploy-test-containers.sh
+++ b/host-agent/ensure-apt-deploy-test-containers.sh
@@ -168,14 +168,13 @@ Types: deb
 URIs: ${URI_BASE}
 EOF
     apt-get update -qq
-    apt-get install -y \
-      taler-merchant \
-      taler-merchant-typst \
-      taler-merchant-webui \
-      taler-terms-generator \
-      postgresql \
-      s-nail \
-      jq
+    # noble (ubuntu) has no taler-merchant-webui; install if present
+    pkgs='taler-merchant taler-merchant-typst taler-terms-generator postgresql s-nail jq'
+    if apt-cache show taler-merchant-webui >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      pkgs=\"\$pkgs taler-merchant-webui\"
+    fi
+    # shellcheck disable=SC2086
+    apt-get install -y \$pkgs
   "
 }