diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-and-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/build-and-publish.yml
index 9ba56f8d6..867d79c9b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-and-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-and-publish.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check-release-tag.yml b/.github/workflows/check-release-tag.yml
index 5423c11a4..f099fa94e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check-release-tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check-release-tag.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/checks.yml b/.github/workflows/checks.yml
index a258fef3a..91277c4fa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/checks.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/checks.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-versions }}
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-versions }}
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-versions }}
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ jobs:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-versions }}
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 104045ade..82c8388b1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ jobs:
     name: Report
     needs:
       - merge-gate
+    # This condition ensures the job runs if merge-gate finished (success or failure)
+    if: |
+      always() &&
+      needs.merge-gate.result != 'skipped' &&
+      needs.merge-gate.result != 'cancelled'
     uses: ./.github/workflows/report.yml
     secrets: inherit
     permissions:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/gh-pages.yml b/.github/workflows/gh-pages.yml
index 147d0453a..73c74dc99 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/gh-pages.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/gh-pages.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/matrix-all.yml b/.github/workflows/matrix-all.yml
index 69a5aa4b4..558f5ef67 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/matrix-all.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/matrix-all.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/matrix-exasol.yml b/.github/workflows/matrix-exasol.yml
index 44b5cfd98..a64b88c3f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/matrix-exasol.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/matrix-exasol.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/matrix-python.yml b/.github/workflows/matrix-python.yml
index 328799b6c..e68fd4d1e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/matrix-python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/matrix-python.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/merge-gate.yml b/.github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
index 7219a4d83..24200ed93 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ jobs:
   # This job ensures inputs have been executed successfully.
   allow-merge:
     name: Allow Merge
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() }}
     runs-on: "ubuntu-24.04"
     permissions:
       contents: read
@@ -67,7 +68,13 @@ jobs:
       - run-fast-checks
       - run-slow-checks
       - test-python-environment
-    # Each job requires a step, so we added this dummy step.
+    # To prevent accidentally merges, this step is required. For more details
+    # see: https://github.com/exasol/python-toolbox/issues/563
     steps:
-      - name: Approve
-        run: echo "Merge Approved"
+      - name: Branch Protection - failure if any ancestor failed or was cancelled
+        if: ${{ contains(needs.*.result, 'failure') || contains(needs.*.result, 'cancelled') }}
+        run: |
+          echo '${{ toJSON(needs) }}'
+          exit 1
+      - name: branch protection
+        run: echo "All required checks passed. Merge allowed."
diff --git a/.github/workflows/report.yml b/.github/workflows/report.yml
index 8790ca1ab..7612aeba7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/report.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/report.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: "3.10"
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/slow-checks.yml b/.github/workflows/slow-checks.yml
index 8f1b55e42..46ed19863 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/slow-checks.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/slow-checks.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Set up Python & Poetry Environment
         id: set-up-python-and-poetry-environment
-        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v6
+        uses: exasol/python-toolbox/.github/actions/python-environment@v7
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
           poetry-version: "2.3.0"
diff --git a/doc/changes/unreleased.md b/doc/changes/unreleased.md
index fb4737052..58a72b160 100644
--- a/doc/changes/unreleased.md
+++ b/doc/changes/unreleased.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
 # Unreleased
 
 ## Summary
+
+## Bugfix
+
+* #563: Fixed merge-gate to prevent auto-merges from happening when integration tests failed
diff --git a/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/ci.yml b/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/ci.yml
index f58bbfe3c..8b93f291f 100644
--- a/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ jobs:
     name: Report
     needs:
       - merge-gate
+    # This condition ensures the job runs if merge-gate finished (success or failure)
+    if: |
+      always() &&
+      needs.merge-gate.result != 'skipped' &&
+      needs.merge-gate.result != 'cancelled'
     uses: ./.github/workflows/report.yml
     secrets: inherit
     permissions:
diff --git a/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/merge-gate.yml b/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
index 1b991327a..c6f01ed9b 100644
--- a/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
+++ b/exasol/toolbox/templates/github/workflows/merge-gate.yml
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ jobs:
   # This job ensures inputs have been executed successfully.
   allow-merge:
     name: Allow Merge
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() }}
     runs-on: "(( os_version ))"
     permissions:
       contents: read
@@ -58,7 +59,13 @@ jobs:
     needs:
       - run-fast-checks
       - run-slow-checks
-    # Each job requires a step, so we added this dummy step.
+    # To prevent accidentally merges, this step is required. For more details
+    # see: https://github.com/exasol/python-toolbox/issues/563
     steps:
-      - name: Approve
-        run: echo "Merge Approved"
+      - name: Branch Protection - failure if any ancestor failed or was cancelled
+        if: ${{ contains(needs.*.result, 'failure') || contains(needs.*.result, 'cancelled') }}
+        run: |
+          echo '${{ toJSON(needs) }}'
+          exit 1
+      - name: branch protection
+        run: echo "All required checks passed. Merge allowed."