diff --git a/.mokogitea/workflows/pre-release.yml b/.mokogitea/workflows/pre-release.yml
index ff376b3..b212772 100644
--- a/.mokogitea/workflows/pre-release.yml
+++ b/.mokogitea/workflows/pre-release.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 # INGROUP: mokocli.Release
 # REPO: https://git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/Template-Generic
 # PATH: /.mokogitea/workflows/pre-release.yml
-# VERSION: 05.02.00
+# VERSION: 05.02.01
 # BRIEF: Auto pre-release on push to dev/alpha/beta/rc branches
 
 name: "Universal: Pre-Release"
@@ -162,7 +162,13 @@ jobs:
           git add -A
           git diff --cached --quiet || {
             git commit -m "chore(version): pre-release bump to ${VERSION} [skip ci]"
-            git push origin HEAD 2>&1
+            # Push the bump commit, but do NOT fail the release if the target branch
+            # is protected and the release identity is not on the push allowlist.
+            # The build proceeds from the in-tree bumped version regardless; if the
+            # push is rejected, the next run simply re-bumps from the same base.
+            if ! git push origin HEAD 2>&1; then
+              echo "::warning::Version-bump commit could not be pushed (protected branch?). Building from in-tree version ${VERSION} anyway."
+            fi
           }
 
           # Auto-detect element via manifest_element.php
@@ -274,4 +280,4 @@ jobs:
           echo "| Version | \`${VERSION}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| Channel | ${STABILITY} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| Package | \`${ZIP_NAME}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
-          echo "| SHA-256 | \`${SHA256:-n/a}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "| SHA-256 | \`${SHA256:-n/a}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
\ No newline at end of file