diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/testing.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/testing.yml
index 4a89175c8d..199e616daa 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/testing.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/testing.yml
@@ -172,6 +172,8 @@ jobs:
       cacher:
         image: ${{ matrix.cacher.image }}
         options: ${{ matrix.cacher.options }}
+        env:
+          ALLOW_EMPTY_PASSWORD: "yes" # redis & valkey will immediately shutdown with no defined password unless overridden
     steps:
       - uses: https://data.forgejo.org/actions/checkout@v5
       - uses: ./.forgejo/workflows-composite/setup-env