diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 4554796..395d218 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -38,8 +38,23 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0 # Needed to check for existing tags
 
-      - name: Free disk space # Optional: Keep if needed for large builds
+      - name: Check if tag already exists
+        run: |
+          TAG_NAME="${{ needs.prepare-release.outputs.version_tag }}"
+          echo "Checking for existing tag: $TAG_NAME"
+          # Fetch tags explicitly just in case checkout didn't get them all
+          git fetch --tags
+          if git rev-parse "$TAG_NAME" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "::error::Tag $TAG_NAME already exists. Please increment the version in the VERSION file."
+            exit 1
+          else
+            echo "Tag $TAG_NAME does not exist. Proceeding with release."
+          fi
+
+      - name: Free disk space # Optional: Keep as needed for large builds
         run: |
           echo "Listing current disk space"
           df -h