diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 4ea682d3cd0f236349f771d5b3d5279c93188f71..a83088cbe06f31271c4cb424d439cf837dd6ec53 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -81,6 +81,21 @@ test:
   script:
     - cargo test --verbose --workspace --all-features
 
+test-new-project-template:
+  stage:                           test
+  <<:                              *docker-env
+  script:
+    - cargo run -- contract new new_project
+    - cd new_project
+
+    # needed because otherwise:
+    # `error: current package believes it's in a workspace when it's not`
+    - echo "[workspace]" >> Cargo.toml
+
+    - cargo check --verbose
+    - cargo test --verbose --all
+    - cargo fmt --verbose --all -- --check
+
 #### stage:                        build (default features)
 
 build: