diff --git a/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.mjs b/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.mjs
index 3283fa9..f02c568 100644
--- a/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.mjs
+++ b/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.mjs
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ export async function publishSkinSite({
 				response = await fetchImpl(`${baseUrl.replace(/\/$/, '')}/starlight/${route}`, {
 					method,
 					headers: {
+						Accept: 'application/json',
 						Authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
 						...(body && !chunk ? { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } : {}),
 					},
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ export async function publishSkinSite({
 			} catch {
 				throw new Error(`Skin site ${route}: invalid JSON response`)
 			}
-			if (result?.success !== true || !result.payload) {
+			if (result?.success === false || result?.error || !result?.payload) {
 				throw new Error(
 					`Skin site ${route}: ${result?.errorMessage || 'request was rejected or payload is missing'}`,
 				)
diff --git a/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.test.mjs b/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.test.mjs
index 269cf26..83183ec 100644
--- a/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.test.mjs
+++ b/scripts/axolotl/publish-skin-site.test.mjs
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ function apiFixture(bytes, options = {}) {
 		...(state === 'ready' ? { release } : {}),
 		...(state === 'failed' ? { errorMessage: 'Invalid archive manifest' } : {}),
 	})
-	const reply = (payload) => Response.json({ success: true, payload })
+	// The frontend derives success from HTTP status; the wire envelope only needs payload.
+	const reply = (payload) => Response.json({ payload })
 	return {
 		chunks,
 		events,