diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index efd7d60..61fecf3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ on:
       - closed
 
 jobs:
-  semantic-version:
+  preparation:
     if: github.event.pull_request.merged
     name: Get next version numbers
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -14,6 +14,14 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
+      - name: Remove WIP label from linked issue
+        uses: RebeccaStevens/issue-closed-labeler-action@latest
+        with:
+          rules: '[{"condition": "WIP", "remove": "WIP"}]'
+      - name: Remove WIP label from PR
+        uses: actions-ecosystem/action-remove-labels@v1
+        with:
+          labels: WIP
       - name: Get previous tag
         id: previous_tag
         uses: "WyriHaximus/github-action-get-previous-tag@v1"
@@ -30,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
 
   determine-release:
     name: Release type
-    needs: semantic-version
+    needs: preparation
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     continue-on-error: true
     strategy:
@@ -38,9 +46,9 @@ jobs:
         labels: ["bug,patch", "feature,minor"]
         include:
           - labels: "bug,patch"
-            version: "${{ needs.semantic-version.outputs.v_patch }}"
+            version: "${{ needs.preparation.outputs.v_patch }}"
           - labels: "feature,minor"
-            version: "${{ needs.semantic-version.outputs.v_minor }}"
+            version: "${{ needs.preparation.outputs.v_minor }}"
     steps:
       - name: Check labels
         uses: docker://agilepathway/pull-request-label-checker:latest