diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index 4bafdb0..655d552 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -110,6 +110,9 @@
           ] ++ build-pkgs;
 
           buildPhase = ''
+            # dx build will run tailwindcss anyways, but doing it first here is faster and clearer if it fails
+            tailwindcss --input style/tailwind.css --output assets/tailwind.css
+
             dx build --release --frozen --web
           '';