diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 1faf1ada6a8d..709bab633160 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ jobs:
           go-version: '^1.19'
       - name: generate release artifacts
         run: |
+          export REGISTRY=docker.io/mesosphere
+          export PROD_REGISTRY=$REGISTRY
+          export STAGING_REGISTRY=$REGISTRY
+          export TAG=${{ env.RELEASE_TAG }}
           make release
       - name: generate release notes
         run: |
@@ -45,6 +49,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           export REGISTRY=docker.io/mesosphere
           export PROD_REGISTRY=$REGISTRY
+          export STAGING_REGISTRY=$REGISTRY
           export TAG=${{ env.RELEASE_TAG }}
           make ALL_ARCH="amd64 arm64" docker-build-all
           make ALL_ARCH="amd64 arm64" docker-push-all