diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 07846a12..912b4841 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -75,17 +75,17 @@ jobs:
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
 
-      - name: create pre-release
-        if: steps.get_branch.outputs.branch == 'main' && inputs.production_release != 'true'
+      - name: create release - beta
+        if: ${{ github.ref_name == 'main' && inputs.production_release != 'true' }}
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        run: npx semantic-release --preid beta
+        run: 'npx semantic-release'
 
-      - name: create release
-        if: steps.get_branch.outputs.branch == 'main' && inputs.production_release == 'true'
+      - name: create release - beta
+        if: ${{ github.ref_name == 'main' && inputs.production_release == 'true' }}
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        run: npx semantic-release
+        run: 'npx semantic-release --branches main'
 
       - name: get release ID
         id: get-release-id
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 7995ad99..0e224495 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -74,7 +74,13 @@
   },
   "release": {
     "branches": [
-      "main"
+      {
+        "name": "main",
+        "prerelease": "beta"
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "do-not-delete"
+      }
     ],
     "plugins": [
       [