diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 00fedff..c2eb2a8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ jobs:
         # https://cli.github.com/manual/gh_release_create
         run: |
           make release-description | tee release_description.md
-          export GH_ARGS="${{ github.ref }} --notes-file=release_description.md"
-          echo "gh args: '$GH_ARGS"
+          export GH_ARGS="${{ github.ref_name }} --notes-file=release_description.md"
+          echo "gh args: '$GH_ARGS'"
           ${{ env.gh_bin }} release create $GH_ARGS || ${{ env.gh_bin }} release edit $GH_ARGS
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
@@ -80,6 +80,6 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           export FILENAME="tutor-$(uname -s)_$(uname -m)"
           mv ./dist/tutor $FILENAME
-          ${{ env.gh_bin }} release upload --clobber ${{ github.ref }} $FILENAME
+          ${{ env.gh_bin }} release upload --clobber ${{ github.ref_name }} $FILENAME
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}