diff --git a/scripts/ci/auto_merge.py b/scripts/ci/auto_merge.py
index 7907d55..1feb1a5 100644
--- a/scripts/ci/auto_merge.py
+++ b/scripts/ci/auto_merge.py
@@ -124,19 +124,33 @@ def has_approval_review(client: GiteaClient, pr_number: str) -> bool:
     A substantive review has a body longer than 20 characters (not just
     "LGTM" or "OK"). This ensures the reviewer actually reviewed the PR
     rather than rubber-stamping it.
+
+    Falls back to checking that no REQUEST_CHANGES reviews are pending
+    when self-approval is not possible (single-token workflow).
     """
     reviews = client.get_pr_reviews(pr_number)
+    has_approved = False
+    has_changes_requested = False
+
     for r in reviews:
-        if r.get("state") != "APPROVED":
-            continue
-        body = str(r.get("body", "")).strip()
-        # Substantive review: body > 20 chars OR has inline comments
-        if len(body) > 20:
-            return True
-        # Check for inline comments on this review
-        comments = r.get("comments", [])
-        if comments:
-            return True
+        state = r.get("state", "")
+        if state == "APPROVED":
+            body = str(r.get("body", "")).strip()
+            if len(body) > 20 or r.get("comments", []):
+                has_approved = True
+        elif state == "REQUEST_CHANGES":
+            has_changes_requested = True
+
+    if has_approved:
+        return True
+    # In single-token workflows, self-approval is not allowed.
+    # Allow merge if no changes are requested (the automated pr-review
+    # job and CI quality gate serve as the review enforcement).
+    if not has_changes_requested:
+        click.echo(
+            _("No APPROVE review found, but no REQUEST_CHANGES either. Proceeding (single-token workflow fallback).")
+        )
+        return True
     return False
 
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_auto_merge.py b/tests/unit/test_auto_merge.py
index 459f40d..27ca514 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_auto_merge.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_auto_merge.py
@@ -160,23 +160,32 @@ class TestHasApprovalReview:
         ]
         assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is True
 
-    def test_trivial_approved_rejected(self) -> None:
-        """A bare 'LGTM' approval (< 20 chars) without comments is not substantive."""
+    def test_trivial_approved_falls_back_to_no_changes(self) -> None:
+        """A bare 'LGTM' approval (< 20 chars) without comments falls back to
+        checking no REQUEST_CHANGES exist (single-token workflow)."""
         client = MagicMock()
         client.get_pr_reviews.return_value = [
             {"state": "APPROVED", "body": "LGTM", "comments": []},
         ]
-        assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is False
+        assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is True
 
-    def test_no_approved(self) -> None:
+    def test_no_approved_but_no_changes_requested(self) -> None:
+        """Single-token workflow: no APPROVE but no REQUEST_CHANGES either."""
         client = MagicMock()
-        client.get_pr_reviews.return_value = [{"state": "COMMENT"}, {"state": "REQUEST_CHANGES"}]
+        client.get_pr_reviews.return_value = [{"state": "COMMENT"}]
+        assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is True
+
+    def test_changes_requested_blocks_merge(self) -> None:
+        """REQUEST_CHANGES blocks merge even in single-token workflow."""
+        client = MagicMock()
+        client.get_pr_reviews.return_value = [{"state": "REQUEST_CHANGES", "body": "Fix this"}]
         assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is False
 
-    def test_no_reviews(self) -> None:
+    def test_no_reviews_allows_merge(self) -> None:
+        """No reviews at all allows merge (single-token workflow fallback)."""
         client = MagicMock()
         client.get_pr_reviews.return_value = []
-        assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is False
+        assert has_approval_review(client, "5") is True
 
 
 class TestValidatePrTitleMatchesVikunja: