diff --git a/merge-release-run.js b/merge-release-run.js
index 2ee4afb..1c80143 100644
--- a/merge-release-run.js
+++ b/merge-release-run.js
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ const event = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync('/github/workflow/event.json').toString
 let pkg = require(path.join(process.cwd(), 'package.json'))
 
 const run = async () => {
+  if (!process.env.NPM_TOKEN) throw new Error('Merge-release requires NPM_TOKEN')
   let latest
   try {
     latest = await get(pkg.name + '/latest')