diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-publish-new-package.yml b/.github/workflows/release-publish-new-package.yml
index 97e9d1b4dc87..b75b78da82de 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-publish-new-package.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-publish-new-package.yml
@@ -32,8 +32,22 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup and Build
         uses: ./.github/actions/setup-nodejs
 
+      - name: Check package does not already exist on NPM
+        working-directory: ${{ github.event.inputs.package-path }}
+        run: |
+          PACKAGE_NAME=$(node -p "require('./package.json').name")
+          if [ "$PACKAGE_NAME" = "n8n-monorepo" ]; then
+            echo "::error::Package 'n8n-monorepo' cannot be published."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          if npm view "$PACKAGE_NAME" > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "::error::Package '$PACKAGE_NAME' already exists on NPM. Use the regular release workflow for updates."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "Package '$PACKAGE_NAME' does not exist on NPM yet. Proceeding with publish."
+
       - name: Configure NPM token
-        run: echo "//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}" > ~/.npmrc
+        run: echo "//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_INITIAL_PUBLISH_TOKEN }}" > ~/.npmrc
 
       - name: Publish package
         working-directory: ${{ github.event.inputs.package-path }}