diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-candidate.yml b/.github/workflows/release-candidate.yml
index 52425491..429f7a98 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-candidate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-candidate.yml
@@ -298,7 +298,10 @@ jobs:
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - name: Get version from branch
-        run: echo "PACKAGE_VERSION=${GITHUB_REF#refs/*/}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        run: |
+          GITHUB_REF="${{ github.ref }}"
+          [[ -z "$GITHUB_REF" ]] && exit 1 # Fail if ref is unset
+          echo "PACKAGE_VERSION=${GITHUB_REF#refs/*/}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
       - name: Buildah build
         id: build-image
         uses: redhat-actions/buildah-build@v2