diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
index e8aff742d7..b16e199271 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-release.yml
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ jobs:
           packagePAT: ${{ secrets.BALLERINA_BOT_TOKEN }}
           devCentralToken: ${{ secrets.BALLERINA_DEV_CENTRAL_ACCESS_TOKEN }}
         run: |
-          ./gradlew build -Pversion=${VERSION}
+          ./gradlew build -Pversion=${VERSION} -x test
           ./gradlew release -Prelease.useAutomaticVersion=true -x test
 #       - name: Checkout docker repo
 #         uses: actions/checkout@v2