diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 6280d3e..37c8089 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ jobs:
           registry-url: https://registry.npmjs.org
 
       - name: Upgrade npm to a Trusted-Publishing-capable version (>=11.5.1)
-        run: npm install -g npm@latest
+        # `--force` avoids the well-known MODULE_NOT_FOUND from npm's
+        # self-upgrade rebuild step (e.g. promise-retry) when modules
+        # unload mid-install.
+        run: npm install -g npm@latest --force
 
       - run: pnpm install --frozen-lockfile