diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
index 9a90af9..6348ee0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,10 @@ jobs:
   release:
     name: Publish new release
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    if: github.event.pull_request.merged == true # only merged pull requests must trigger this job
+    # only merged pull requests that begin with 'release/' or 'hotfix/' must trigger this job
+    if: github.event.pull_request.merged == true &&
+      (startsWith(github.event.pull_request.head.ref, 'release/') || startsWith(github.event.pull_request.head.ref, 'hotfix/'))
+
     steps:
       - name: Extract version from branch name (for release branches)
         if: startsWith(github.event.pull_request.head.ref, 'release/')