diff --git a/release-16-10-2026.sh b/release-16-10-2026.sh
index d6234f3..a66684d 100755
--- a/release-16-10-2026.sh
+++ b/release-16-10-2026.sh
@@ -44,8 +44,10 @@ log_info "Build number: ${BUILD_NUMBER}"
 log_info "Build tag: ${BUILD_TAG}"
 
 # Build prebuilt image and run Jenkins builder inside container
+# new_docker_build.sh must be run from the legatus directory (where .envrc exists)
 log_info "Building prebuilt Docker image and running Jenkins builder..."
-bash "${LEGATUS_ROOT}/new_docker_build.sh" \
+cd "${LEGATUS_ROOT}"
+bash ./new_docker_build.sh \
   --build-prebuilt-image \
   --use-prebuilt-image \
   --run-jenkins-builder \