diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 9b92a67c..536fa746 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -374,6 +374,10 @@ jobs:
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
         run: |
-          gh release create "$VERSION" \
-            --title "v${VERSION}" \
-            --generate-notes
+          if gh release view "$VERSION" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "::notice::Release ${VERSION} already exists — skipping"
+          else
+            gh release create "$VERSION" \
+              --title "v${VERSION}" \
+              --generate-notes
+          fi