diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2a8bbc3d19..1209884c7d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -8,12 +8,17 @@ on:
       force:
         description: Force a release even when there are release-blockers (optional)
         required: false
+      merge_target:
+        description: Target branch to merge into. Uses the default branch as a fallback (optional)
+        required: false
+
 jobs:
   release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: "Release a new version"
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Check out current commit (${{ github.sha }})
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.GH_RELEASE_PAT }}
           fetch-depth: 0
@@ -24,3 +29,4 @@ jobs:
         with:
           version: ${{ github.event.inputs.version }}
           force: ${{ github.event.inputs.force }}
+          merge_target: ${{ github.event.inputs.merge_target }}