diff --git a/.github/workflows/rel_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/rel_tag.yml
index 850722a51..b42e5042e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rel_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rel_tag.yml
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           version_tag: ${{ inputs.version_tag }}
           bump: ${{ inputs.bump }}
+          enable_merge_commit_bump: false
 
       - name: tag repo create changelog and create release
         uses: ORCID/changelog-action@main