diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/packet.yml b/.gitlab-ci/packet.yml
index 3d1e9ce3873..41abead535a 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci/packet.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/packet.yml
@@ -125,6 +125,9 @@ packet_amazon-linux-2-all-in-one:
 packet_opensuse-docker-cilium:
   extends: .packet_pr
 
+packet_debian12-calico-sep:
+  extends: .packet_pr
+
 packet_ubuntu20-cilium-sep:
   extends: .packet_pr
 
diff --git a/tests/files/packet_debian12-calico-sep.yml b/tests/files/packet_debian12-calico-sep.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..47a68542a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/files/packet_debian12-calico-sep.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+# Instance settings
+cloud_image: debian-12
+mode: separate
+
+kube_network_plugin: calico
+
+container_manager: containerd