diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2210ad5..39bc9c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ jobs:
   # If either step is missing the upload fails with `invalid-publisher`.
   # See docs/release.md for the full restoration recipe.
   publish-pypi:
+    # PyPI publishing is paused until the owner sets the repository (or org)
+    # variable PUBLISH_PYPI to 'true'. Tags still build and release on GitHub.
+    if: ${{ vars.PUBLISH_PYPI == 'true' }}
     needs: build
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: pypi