diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_archive_and_notes.sh b/.github/workflows/create_archive_and_notes.sh
index a21585f866..b53c49aa09 100755
--- a/.github/workflows/create_archive_and_notes.sh
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_archive_and_notes.sh
@@ -13,12 +13,22 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-set -o errexit -o nounset -o pipefail
+set -o nounset
+set -o pipefail
+set -o errexit
 
+set -x
 # Exclude dot directories, specifically, this file so that we don't
 # find the substring we're looking for in our own file.
 # Exclude CONTRIBUTING.md, RELEASING.md because they document how to use these strings.
-if grep --exclude=CONTRIBUTING.md --exclude=RELEASING.md --exclude-dir=.* VERSION_NEXT_ -r; then
+grep --exclude=CONTRIBUTING.md \
+  --exclude=RELEASING.md \
+  --exclude=release.py \
+  --exclude=release_test.py \
+  --exclude-dir=.* \
+  VERSION_NEXT_ -r || grep_exit_code=$?
+
+if [[ $grep_exit_code -eq 0 ]]; then
   echo
   echo "Found VERSION_NEXT markers indicating version needs to be specified"
   exit 1