diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
index d76f506..71ca5a3 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Stop if version already released
         run: |
-          EXISTS=$(cat tag_exists.txt)
+          EXISTS=$(cat tag_exists.txt | tr -d '[:space:]')
           if [ "$EXISTS" = "true" ]; then
             echo "Version already released, skipping workflow."
             exit 0