diff --git a/.github/workflows/report-new-specs.yml b/.github/workflows/report-new-specs.yml
index 29bbbe8f..98544e10 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/report-new-specs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/report-new-specs.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
     - run: npm install
     - run: node src/find-specs.js # sets candidate_list env variable
     - uses: JasonEtco/create-an-issue@v2
-      if: ${{ candidate_list }}
+      if: ${{ env.candidate_list }}
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
       with: