diff --git a/Containerfile b/Containerfile
index d88b33f2..33a8f093 100644
--- a/Containerfile
+++ b/Containerfile
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # TODO: Update to official python-3.13-minimal image when available
 ARG BASE_IMAGE=quay.io/fedora/python-313-minimal:latest
 
+# Use a multi-stage build to create a lightweight production image
+FROM $BASE_IMAGE as builder
+
 # release: take the last version and add a post if build iteration
 # candidate: increment to next minor, add 'rc' with build iteration
 # nightly: increment to next minor, add 'a' with build iteration
@@ -8,9 +11,6 @@ ARG BASE_IMAGE=quay.io/fedora/python-313-minimal:latest
 # dev: increment to next minor, add 'dev' with build iteration
 ARG GUIDELLM_BUILD_TYPE=dev
 
-# Use a multi-stage build to create a lightweight production image
-FROM $BASE_IMAGE as builder
-
 # Switch to root for installing packages
 USER root