diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2801d6c..4886f8e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -386,8 +386,8 @@ jobs:
           git commit -m "chore: update ${STABILITY} SHA-256 for ${VERSION} [skip ci]" \
             --author="gitea-actions[bot] <gitea-actions[bot]@mokoconsulting.tech>"
 
-          # Set push URL with GA_TOKEN for authenticated pushes
-          git remote set-url origin "https://jmiller:${TOKEN}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/${GITEA_ORG}/${GITEA_REPO}.git"
+          # Set push URL with GA_TOKEN for authenticated pushes (branch protection requires jmiller)
+          git remote set-url origin "https://jmiller:${{ secrets.GA_TOKEN }}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/${{ github.repository }}.git"
 
           # Push to current branch
           git push || true