diff --git a/.github/workflows/translation-sync.yml b/.github/workflows/translation-sync.yml
index 3b72c28c..ae74ed46 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/translation-sync.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/translation-sync.yml
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ jobs:
             REF="Triggered by [\`${SHORT_SHA}\`](https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/commit/${AFTER})"
           fi
 
+          # Ensure the 'translation' label exists (creates it if missing)
+          gh label create "translation" --color "0075ca" --description "Auto-generated translation PR" 2>/dev/null || true
+
           gh pr create \
             --title "[i18n] Sync translations for #${PR_NUMBER:-$SHORT_SHA}" \
             --body "This PR was auto-generated by the translation sync workflow.
@@ -135,4 +138,4 @@ jobs:
           > To add a new language, add an entry to \`.github/scripts/translation-config.json\`." \
             --base main \
             --head "${{ steps.create_branch.outputs.branch }}" \
-            --label "translation" || echo "PR may already exist for this branch"
+            --label "translation"