diff --git a/gitlab/ci_template.yml b/gitlab/ci_template.yml
index 8d2723fba5..012085a49c 100644
--- a/gitlab/ci_template.yml
+++ b/gitlab/ci_template.yml
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ manifest:
   extends:
     - '.global_ci_policy'
   rules:
-    - if: '$GITLAB_USER_LOGIN == "gstreamer-merge-bot"'
+    - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_SOURCE_BRANCH_NAME && $GITLAB_USER_LOGIN == "gstreamer-merge-bot"'
       when: 'always'
     - if: '$CI_PROJECT_PATH == "gstreamer/cerbero"'
       when: 'always'