diff --git a/.ci/setup.sh b/.ci/setup.sh
index 2ad6906320..3ec023bbe2 100755
--- a/.ci/setup.sh
+++ b/.ci/setup.sh
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ ghcup set cabal ${CABAL_VERSION}
 cabal --version
 ghc --version
 
+# This might happen when running on Circle CI or during tags
+CI_COMMIT_BRANCH=${CI_COMMIT_BRANCH:-no_branch_set_by_ci}
+
 # File may exist as part of a dist.tar.zst
 if [ ! -f cabal.project.local ]; then
   cp .ci/cabal.project.local .