diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/build-debian.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/build-debian.yml
index f106a8da..292c6793 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/build-debian.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/build-debian.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,17 @@ jobs:
           else
             echo "No workaround needed for llvm-project#153385"
           fi
+      - name: Pick compatible clang version
+        id: clang-version
+        run: |
+          # both latest need to use clang-23, but oldstable and previous can just use clang
+          if [[ "${{ matrix.container }}" == "ubuntu-latest" || "${{ matrix.container }}" == "debian-latest" ]]; then
+            echo "Using clang-23 package for ${matrix.container}"
+            echo "version=clang-23" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          else
+            echo "Using default clang package for ${matrix.container}"
+            echo "version=clang" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          fi
 
       - name: Checkout repository with full history
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
@@ -116,7 +127,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           apt-get update -y
           # Build dependencies for rocksdb
-          apt-get install -y clang-19 liburing-dev
+          apt-get install -y liburing-dev ${{ steps.clang-version.outputs.version }}-dev
 
       - name: Run cargo-deb
         id: cargo-deb