diff --git a/scripts/release.js b/scripts/release.js
index 1caeac5..a9d0ec3 100644
--- a/scripts/release.js
+++ b/scripts/release.js
@@ -12,12 +12,6 @@ const filesList = files.split( ',' );
 
 utils.log( `Releasing ${ process.env.CIRCLE_PROJECT_REPONAME }…` );
 
-const shouldPublishOnNPM = Boolean( process.env.NPM_TOKEN );
-
-if ( shouldPublishOnNPM ) {
-	utils.log( `Will publish on npm` );
-}
-
 const getConfig = ({ gitBranchName }) => {
 	const branchType = gitBranchName.split("/")[0];
 	const githubConfig = {
@@ -35,6 +29,12 @@ const getConfig = ({ gitBranchName }) => {
 		githubConfig.failComment = false;
 	}
 
+	// Only publish alpha and release branches to NPM.
+	const shouldPublishOnNPM = Boolean( process.env.NPM_TOKEN ) && ["alpha", "release"].includes(branchType);
+	if ( shouldPublishOnNPM ) {
+		utils.log( `Will publish to npm.` );
+	}
+
 	const config = {
 		dryRun: otherArgs.dryRun,
 		ci: otherArgs.ci,