diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-branch.yml b/.github/workflows/release-branch.yml
index 3b2094dc18..503c36c064 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-branch.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-branch.yml
@@ -264,11 +264,14 @@ jobs:
           build-args: |
             package_type=signed-package
 
+      - name: Set the VERSION environment variable
+        run: echo VERSION=v${{ inputs.packageVersion }} >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
       - name: Build Packages
         env:
           GPG_KEY: ${{ secrets.INDIGO_GPG_AGENT }}
           NFPM_SIGNING_KEY_FILE: .key.asc
-          VERSION: ${{ inputs.packageVersion }}
+          VERSION: ${{ env.VERSION }}
           PACKAGE_BUILD: ${{ inputs.packageBuildNo }}
         run: |
           export PATH=$PATH:~/go/bin