diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index e0ce3b9..b7dec6d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           command: release-pr
         env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_PLZ_TOKEN || secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           CARGO_REGISTRY_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CARGO_REGISTRY_TOKEN }}
 
   # No-op until the release PR lands; then tags, publishes both crates to