diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index f9a1d8e5181..35bcaaf3129 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -634,10 +634,8 @@ jobs:
             channel_name="nightly"
           fi
 
-          vercel_scope_args=()
-          if [[ -n "${VERCEL_TEAM_SLUG:-}" ]]; then
-            vercel_scope_args=(--scope "$VERCEL_TEAM_SLUG")
-          fi
+          vercel_scope="${VERCEL_TEAM_SLUG:-$VERCEL_ORG_ID}"
+          vercel_scope_args=(--scope "$vercel_scope")
 
           echo "Deploying hosted web app for $channel_name channel."
           deployment_url="$(
diff --git a/docs/release.md b/docs/release.md
index 640fdc333c9..44ad1135102 100644
--- a/docs/release.md
+++ b/docs/release.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Required GitHub Actions secrets:
 
 Optional GitHub Actions variables:
 
-- `VERCEL_TEAM_SLUG`: required only if the token needs an explicit Vercel team scope.
+- `VERCEL_TEAM_SLUG`: overrides the Vercel CLI scope when the team slug is preferred over the `VERCEL_ORG_ID` secret.
 - `T3CODE_WEB_ROUTER_URL`: defaults to `https://app.t3.codes`.
 - `T3CODE_WEB_LATEST_DOMAIN`: defaults to `latest.app.t3.codes`.
 - `T3CODE_WEB_NIGHTLY_DOMAIN`: defaults to `nightly.app.t3.codes`.