diff --git a/scripts/init-go.sh b/scripts/init-go.sh
index 178155f..68688cc 100755
--- a/scripts/init-go.sh
+++ b/scripts/init-go.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,17 @@ set -euo pipefail
 
 source "$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)/_common.sh"
 
+apt_install() {
+  if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1 && [[ "${EUID}" -ne 0 ]]; then
+    sudo apt-get update
+    sudo apt-get install -y golang
+    return
+  fi
+
+  apt-get update
+  apt-get install -y golang
+}
+
 if [ ! -f go.mod ]; then
   echo ">>> go.mod not found, initializing module"
   go mod init account
@@ -17,8 +28,7 @@ if ! command -v go >/dev/null; then
     brew install go@1.24
     brew link --overwrite --force go@1.24
   else
-    sudo apt-get update
-    sudo apt-get install -y golang
+    apt_install
   fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/scripts/setup.sh b/scripts/setup.sh
index e718fdb..e5ecba3 100755
--- a/scripts/setup.sh
+++ b/scripts/setup.sh
@@ -135,9 +135,14 @@ case "$MODE" in
     fi
 
     if [[ -f "go.mod" ]]; then
-      need_cmd go
-      log "downloading Go dependencies (go mod download)"
-      go mod download
+      if command -v go >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        log "downloading Go dependencies (go mod download)"
+        go mod download
+      elif [[ "${ACTION}" == "deploy" ]]; then
+        log "go not found; process deploy will install it during scripts/install-process.sh"
+      else
+        need_cmd go
+      fi
       did_any=true
     fi
     ;;