diff --git a/conda_smithy/templates/github-actions.yml.tmpl b/conda_smithy/templates/github-actions.yml.tmpl
index bc4d25224..0bf0566a4 100644
--- a/conda_smithy/templates/github-actions.yml.tmpl
+++ b/conda_smithy/templates/github-actions.yml.tmpl
@@ -11,7 +11,16 @@
 {%- endfor %}
 
 name: Build conda package
-on: {{ github_actions.triggers }}
+on:
+{%- for trigger in github_actions.triggers %}
+{%- if trigger == "push" and upload_on_branch %}
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - {{ upload_on_branch }}
+{%- else %}
+  {{ trigger }}:
+{%- endif %}
+{% endfor %}
 
 {%- if github_actions.cancel_in_progress %}
 concurrency:
diff --git a/news/upload_gha.rst b/news/upload_gha.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2caa45a55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/upload_gha.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* When upload_on_branch is set, GHA is triggered only for that branch (#1687).
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>