diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index d1eba1dc..64a0c09e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -193,11 +193,13 @@ jobs:
 
   create-release:
     needs: [update-packages, create-metadata, publish-pypi, publish-npm]
+    # create release when we've published a new version to npm or pypi
+    # always() is needed to evaluate this condition even when dependency jobs are skipped
+    # See: https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/workflow-syntax-for-github-actions#jobsjob_idif
     if: |
-       (needs.update-packages.outputs.changes_made == 'true' && always()) &&
-       ((needs.publish-pypi.result == 'success' && needs.publish-npm.result == 'skipped') || 
-       (needs.publish-pypi.result == 'skipped' && needs.publish-npm.result == 'success') || 
-       (needs.publish-pypi.result == 'success' && needs.publish-npm.result == 'success'))
+       always() &&
+       needs.update-packages.outputs.changes_made == 'true' &&
+       (needs.publish-pypi.result == 'success' || needs.publish-npm.result == 'success')
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: release
     permissions: