diff --git a/sda-download/.github/integration/tests/common/50_check_endpoint.sh b/sda-download/.github/integration/tests/common/50_check_endpoint.sh
index c05bee5e4..da754245d 100755
--- a/sda-download/.github/integration/tests/common/50_check_endpoint.sh
+++ b/sda-download/.github/integration/tests/common/50_check_endpoint.sh
@@ -19,6 +19,17 @@ fi
 
 echo "Health endpoint is ok"
 
+check_health_header=$(curl -o /dev/null  -s -w "%{http_code}\n" -LI --cacert certs/ca.pem https://localhost:8443/)
+
+if [ "$check_health_header" != "200" ]; then
+    echo "Head request to health endpoint does not respond properly"
+    echo "got: ${check_health_header}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Head method health endpoint is ok"
+
+
 # ------------------
 # Test empty token
 
diff --git a/sda-download/api/api.go b/sda-download/api/api.go
index 3c56b5761..a770f5d0a 100644
--- a/sda-download/api/api.go
+++ b/sda-download/api/api.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ func Setup() *http.Server {
 	router.HEAD("/s3-encrypted/*path", SelectedMiddleware(), s3.Download)
 	router.GET("/s3-encrypted/*path", SelectedMiddleware(), s3.Download)
 	router.GET("/health", healthResponse)
+	router.HEAD("/", healthResponse)
 
 	// Configure TLS settings
 	log.Info("(3/5) Configuring TLS")