diff --git a/.buildkite/release-pipeline.yml b/.buildkite/release-pipeline.yml
index 38db4c27..03d83533 100644
--- a/.buildkite/release-pipeline.yml
+++ b/.buildkite/release-pipeline.yml
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ steps:
   - label: ":shield: Resolve build type"
     command: |
       BUILD_TYPE=$$(buildkite-agent meta-data get build_type)
+      if [[ "$$BUILD_TYPE" == "release" ]]; then
         if [[ ! "$$BUILDKITE_BRANCH" =~ ^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$$ ]]; then
           echo "ERROR: Release builds require an N.N branch (for example, 1.0)."
           exit 1