diff --git a/scripts/publish_test_metrics.py b/scripts/publish_test_metrics.py
index 8062ce4..839d532 100644
--- a/scripts/publish_test_metrics.py
+++ b/scripts/publish_test_metrics.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ MIN_METRIC_FIELDS = 2
 SOURCE_SCAN_ROOTS = ("ariadne", "scripts", "testing")
 SOURCE_EXTENSIONS = {".py", ".sh"}
 QUALITY_SUCCESS_STATES = {"ok", "pass", "passed", "success", "compliant"}
+COVERAGE_GATE_TARGET_PERCENT = 95.0
 
 
 def _escape_label(value: str) -> str:
@@ -173,14 +174,13 @@ def main() -> int:
     build_number = os.getenv("BUILD_NUMBER", "")
     commit = os.getenv("GIT_COMMIT", "")
 
-    if not os.path.exists(coverage_path):
-        raise RuntimeError(f"missing coverage file {coverage_path}")
-    if not os.path.exists(junit_path):
-        raise RuntimeError(f"missing junit file {junit_path}")
-
-    coverage = _load_coverage(coverage_path)
+    coverage = 0.0
+    if os.path.exists(coverage_path):
+        coverage = _load_coverage(coverage_path)
     source_lines_over_500 = _count_source_files_over_limit(repo_root, max_lines=500)
-    totals = _load_junit(junit_path)
+    totals = {"tests": 0, "failures": 0, "errors": 0, "skipped": 0}
+    if os.path.exists(junit_path):
+        totals = _load_junit(junit_path)
     passed = max(totals["tests"] - totals["failures"] - totals["errors"] - totals["skipped"], 0)
 
     outcome = "ok"
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ def main() -> int:
         outcome = "failed"
     checks = {
         "tests": "ok" if outcome == "ok" else "failed",
-        "coverage": "ok" if coverage >= 95.0 else "failed",
+        "coverage": "ok" if coverage >= COVERAGE_GATE_TARGET_PERCENT else "failed",
         "loc": "ok" if source_lines_over_500 == 0 else "failed",
         "docs_naming": "not_applicable",
         "gate_glue": "ok",