diff --git a/.github/workflows/contracts-build.yml b/.github/workflows/contracts-build.yml
index a25806c1b7..3921bd3a6d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/contracts-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/contracts-build.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+      
+      - name: Check the release tag starts with `nym-contracts-`
+        if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/nym-contracts-') == false && github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch'
+        uses: actions/github-script@v3
+        with:
+          script: |
+            core.setFailed('Release tag did not start with nym-contracts-...')      
 
       - name: Install Rust stable
         uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1