diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index de9ee92..a3a4867 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -116,9 +116,13 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: 📤 merge into develop
         run: |
-          git checkout develop
-          git merge main
-          git push origin develop
+          if git show-ref --quiet refs/heads/develop; then
+            git checkout develop
+            git merge main
+            git push origin develop
+          else
+            echo "develop doesn't exist, skipping..."
+          fi
 
       - name: ✅ done
         run: echo "done"