diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 0f78479..eb21084 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload pages git gh-pages branch
         run: |
-          git config user.name github-actions
-          git config user.email github-actions@github.com
           cd docs/build/html
+          # since following git config is not --global, cd to repo dir first
+          git config user.name "github-actions"
+          git config user.email "github-actions@github.com"
           git add .
           git commit -m "github pages"
           git push
\ No newline at end of file