diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index a610be58796ff..0517988819704 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ jobs:
       name: Publish ${{ matrix.language }}
       gpg-sign: ${{ matrix.language == 'java' }}
       gem-trusted-publishing: ${{ matrix.language == 'ruby' }}
+      node-version: ${{ matrix.language == 'javascript' && '24' || '' }}
       run: |
         if [ "${{ matrix.language == 'java' && (needs.parse-tag.outputs.language == 'all' || needs.parse-tag.outputs.language == 'java') && github.run_attempt > 1 }}" = "true" ]; then
           echo "::error::Java release is not yet rerun-safe — check/drop the staging repo at https://central.sonatype.com/publishing/deployments and publish manually"