diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 51253fc..714c095 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -303,12 +303,14 @@ jobs:
           tar -czf "${LIB_NAME}.tar.gz" -C "${SRC_DIR}" "${LIB_NAME}"
           rm "${SRC_DIR}/${LIB_NAME}"
 
+      # the release keeps its own copy, so the artifact only has to outlive the release job
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
           name: nif-${{ matrix.id }}
           path: "*whisper_cpp_native-*.tar.gz"
           if-no-files-found: error
+          retention-days: 1
 
   tag:
     name: Create release tag