diff --git a/mermaids.sh b/mermaids.sh
index 4b1b500..b3c9393 100644
--- a/mermaids.sh
+++ b/mermaids.sh
@@ -129,12 +129,26 @@ log() { echo -e "${GREEN}[$(date +%H:%M:%S)]${NC} $1"; }
 PORT="${1:-80}"
 
 # 1. Update & install Caddy + deps
+# Ensure DNS is configured
+log "Setting up DNS..."
+if [[ ! -f /etc/resolv.conf.bak ]]; then
+  cp /etc/resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf.bak 2>/dev/null || true
+fi
+cat > /etc/resolv.conf <<EOF
+nameserver 1.1.1.1
+nameserver 208.67.222.222
+EOF
+
 log "Updating package lists..."
 # Enable non-free for ufw (Debian 12 requirement)
 if grep -q "deb debianmain" /etc/apt/sources.list; then
   sed -i 's/deb \(.*\) main/deb \1 main non-free non-free-firmware/' /etc/apt/sources.list
 fi
-apt-get update -o Acquire::Retries=3
+apt-get update -o Acquire::Retries=3 || {
+  warn "apt-get update failed — checking DNS..."
+  cat /etc/resolv.conf
+  exit 1
+}
 
 log "Installing dependencies..."
 apt-get install -y -qq \