diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index 7e2d03b..6819261 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -313,6 +313,16 @@
             cp ${settingsLocal} bitpoll/settings_local.py
           '';
 
+          buildPhase = ''
+            runHook preBuild
+            
+            # Compile localization messages during build to avoid runtime write issues
+            export PYTHONPATH=$PWD:$PYTHONPATH
+            ${pythonEnv}/bin/python manage.py compilemessages
+            
+            runHook postBuild
+          '';
+
           installPhase = ''
             runHook preInstall
             
@@ -482,9 +492,6 @@
 
                 # Collect static files
                 ${cfg.package}/bin/bitpoll-manage collectstatic --noinput --clear
-
-                # Compile messages
-                ${cfg.package}/bin/bitpoll-manage compilemessages
               '';
 
               serviceConfig = {