diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 3c86006..1f55bee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
           npm version "${GITHUB_REF_NAME#v}" --no-git-tag-version --allow-same-version
+          # prepublishOnly builds the package; devDependencies must exist first.
+          npm install --no-audit --no-fund
           gcloud artifacts print-settings npm \
             --project="${{ vars.AR_PROJECT }}" --location="${{ vars.AR_LOCATION }}" \
             --repository="${{ vars.AR_NPM_REPO }}" --scope=@operatorstack > .npmrc