diff --git a/.github/workflows/automerge.yml b/.github/workflows/automerge.yml
index a963a52..68a0aee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/automerge.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/automerge.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: ${{ github.actor == 'dependabot[bot]' }}
     steps:
+      - name: Authenticate CLI with a PAT
+        env:
+          RELEASE_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_TOKEN }}
+        if: env.RELEASE_TOKEN != ''
+        run: echo "${RELEASE_TOKEN}" | gh auth login --with-token
       - name: Enable auto-merge for Dependabot PRs
         run: gh pr merge --auto --squash "$PR_URL"
         env: