diff --git a/.github/workflows/merge.yml b/.github/workflows/merge.yml
index 3ef704f61..d5827e66d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/merge.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/merge.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ jobs:
             return defineReleaseVersion({core}, 'minor', undefined, "${{ steps.define-package-json-version.outputs.packageJsonVersion }}" )
       - name: Bump package.json version
         run: |
+          git config --global user.name 'Automated Release'
+          git config --global user.email 'release-automation@bitmovin.com'
           npm version "${{ fromJson(steps.define-release-version.outputs.result).full }}"
       - name: Update Changelog
         uses: actions/github-script@v6
@@ -63,8 +65,6 @@ jobs:
           # Running a task with github token will not trigger a new workflow run
           # token: ${{ secrets.GH_TOKEN }}
         run: |
-          git config --global user.name 'Automated Release'
-          git config --global user.email 'release-automation@bitmovin.com'
           git add .
           git commit -m "Bump version ${{ fromJson(steps.define-release-version.outputs.result).full }} and update changelog"
           git push origin feature/test-automated-release