diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_pr_branch.yml b/.github/workflows/check_pr_branch.yml
index 5d12a9303d..19e67f46e3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_pr_branch.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_pr_branch.yml
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 name: check PR branch
 
-on:
-  pull_request:
-    branches:
-      - main
-
+on: [pull_request]
 jobs:
   check-PR-branch:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: PRs should not target main
-        run: exit 1
+      run: |
+        if [[ "${{ github.base_ref }}" == "main" ]]; then
+          echo "Pull requests must not be made against main. Please target development instead."
+          exit 1
+        fi