diff --git a/deploy.sh b/deploy.sh
index 291e5dd..8a8c69e 100755
--- a/deploy.sh
+++ b/deploy.sh
@@ -208,8 +208,11 @@ if docker compose -f "${COMPOSE_FILE}" exec -T postgres pg_isready -U pdf_checke
 fi
 
 log ""
-log "Next steps:"
+log "Reloading Apache..."
+sudo systemctl reload apache2 && log "Apache reloaded" || warn "Apache reload failed — run: sudo systemctl reload apache2"
+
+log ""
+log "Next steps (if first deploy):"
 log "  1. Ensure pdf-api-invoker-key.json is at the GCP_SA_KEY_PATH location"
 log "  2. Review ${WEB_DIR}/.env (especially CLOUD_RUN_URL and API keys)"
-log "  3. Restart Apache: sudo systemctl reload apache2"
 log ""