diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 80e4499c40..9dae0d4bd1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
       with:
-        ref: ${{ inputs.release_branch }}
+        ref: ${{ needs.get-or-create-release-branch.outputs.release_branch }}
         path: smithy-rs
         token: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_AUTOMATION_BOT_PAT }}
     - name: Upgrade gradle.properties