diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6ded8ab..8ccec50 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -47,7 +47,12 @@ the GitOps target so ArgoCD can sync it.
 3. Run `kustomize build .` to validate the manifests still render. **Fails the
    workflow if validation breaks** — apps repo is left untouched.
 4. If no diff (apps repo already on this tag): exit 0 silently.
-5. Otherwise commit + push to `main`. On push rejection (concurrent CI race),
+5. Query the Gitea API for open PRs in the apps repo. If any open PR modifies
+   the same `kustomization.yaml` and its patch contains the target tag, exit 0
+   — the PR is the intended control gate and the direct push is skipped. Fails
+   open on API errors (push proceeds) to avoid blocking deploys during an
+   outage.
+6. Otherwise commit + push to `main`. On push rejection (concurrent CI race),
    `git pull --rebase` and retry up to 3 times with linear backoff.
 
 ## Notes
diff --git a/action.yaml b/action.yaml
index 5fdf517..9a0b97c 100644
--- a/action.yaml
+++ b/action.yaml
@@ -67,6 +67,37 @@ runs:
           exit 0
         fi
 
+        # Detect an open PR already targeting the same image:tag in the same
+        # kustomization.yaml. If one is open, defer to it so the review gate
+        # is the actual control path — not a race with the direct push.
+        GITEA_HOST="${APPS_REPO%%/*}"
+        GITEA_REPO_PATH="${APPS_REPO#*/}"
+        GITEA_API="https://${GITEA_HOST}/api/v1"
+        KUSTOMIZATION_FILE="${PATH_IN_REPO}/kustomization.yaml"
+
+        BLOCKING_PR=""
+        PR_NUMS=$(curl -sf -H "Authorization: token ${TOKEN}" \
+          "${GITEA_API}/repos/${GITEA_REPO_PATH}/pulls?state=open&limit=50" \
+          | jq -r '.[].number' 2>/dev/null || true)
+
+        for pr_num in $PR_NUMS; do
+          FILES_JSON=$(curl -sf -H "Authorization: token ${TOKEN}" \
+            "${GITEA_API}/repos/${GITEA_REPO_PATH}/pulls/${pr_num}/files" || echo "[]")
+          if echo "$FILES_JSON" | jq -e \
+            --arg f "$KUSTOMIZATION_FILE" \
+            --arg t "$TAG" \
+            'any(.[]; .filename == $f and (.patch // "" | contains($t)))' \
+            > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            BLOCKING_PR="$pr_num"
+            break
+          fi
+        done
+
+        if [ -n "$BLOCKING_PR" ]; then
+          echo "PR #${BLOCKING_PR} is open and already targets ${NAME}:${TAG} in ${KUSTOMIZATION_FILE}; deferring to PR"
+          exit 0
+        fi
+
         git -C "$WORK" add "${PATH_IN_REPO}/kustomization.yaml"
         git -C "$WORK" commit -m "$MSG"