diff --git a/.github/workflows/auto-release.yml b/.github/workflows/auto-release.yml
index 323fb853..82622df7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/auto-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/auto-release.yml
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ jobs:
           TAG="v${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
           git tag "$TAG"
           git push origin "$TAG"
-          NOTES="${{ steps.notes.outputs.notes }}"
           if [ -n "$(echo "$NOTES" | tr -d '[:space:]')" ]; then
             gh release create "$TAG" --title "$TAG" --notes "$NOTES"
           else
@@ -68,3 +67,4 @@ jobs:
           fi
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GOCARDLESS_CI_ROBOT_TOKEN }}
+          NOTES: ${{ steps.notes.outputs.notes }}