diff --git a/.github/workflows/cd_release.yml b/.github/workflows/cd_release.yml
index cdc023c5..094b2f3c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cd_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cd_release.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   update_version:
     name: Update the version
-    if: github.repository_owner == 'EMMC-ASBL'
+    if: github.repository_owner == 'EMMC-ASBL' && !startsWith(github.event.head_commit.message, '[bot]')
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       continue_workflow: ${{ steps.update_version_step.outputs.continue_workflow }}
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/checkout@v6
       with:
         fetch-depth: 0
+        token: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_PAT }}
 
     - name: Set up git config
       run: |
@@ -74,13 +75,7 @@ jobs:
 
     - name: Update '${{ env.DEFAULT_REPO_BRANCH }}'
       if: steps.update_version_step.outputs.continue_workflow == 'true'
-      uses: CasperWA/push-protected@v2
-      with:
-        token: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_PAT }}
-        branch: ${{ env.DEFAULT_REPO_BRANCH }}
-        pre_sleep: 15
-        force: false
-        unprotect_reviews: true
+      run: git push origin ${{ env.DEFAULT_REPO_BRANCH }}
 
   publish_container_image:
     name: Publish Container image on GH Packages
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/ci_tests.yml
index a1e9f153..36408b9d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci_tests.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - 'master'
-      - 'push-action/**'  # Allow pushing to protected branches (using CasperWA/push-protected)
 
 jobs:
   pre-commit_audit: