diff --git a/services/base.sh b/services/base.sh
index f06d1ec..ec5814a 100644
--- a/services/base.sh
+++ b/services/base.sh
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ install_base() {
     install_glow
 
     # ── Docker ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-    require_docker
+    require_docker || log_warning "Docker install failed — will retry after base setup"
 
     # ── OpenSSH server ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     _base_setup_ssh