diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 34738b95..0b121760 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
 
             - name: check that tag matches package.json version
               run: |
-                pkg_version="$(jq -r .version < package.json)"
+                pkg_version="v$(jq -r .version < package.json)"
                 if [[ "${{ github.ref_name }}" != "$pkg_version" ]]; then
                     echo "Tag ${{ github.ref_name }} does not match package.json version $pkg_version" >&2
                     exit 1