diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-branch-releases.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-branch-releases.yml
index dafaab1c2ba..17a465b5859 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-branch-releases.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-branch-releases.yml
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ jobs:
           echo "Review decision is: $DECISION"
           echo "DECISION=$DECISION" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
+      # overwrite the previous result if this is a fork since forks can't publish to GHCR
+      - name: Skip forks
+        if: github.event.pull_request.head.repo.fork
+        run: echo "DECISION=FORK" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
       - name: Build dependabot-core image
         if: env.DECISION == 'APPROVED'
         env: