diff --git a/.github/workflows/rust-release.yml b/.github/workflows/rust-release.yml
index 5230d40992..3fc99ac71b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rust-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rust-release.yml
@@ -1775,10 +1775,13 @@ jobs:
             --prerelease="$PRERELEASE"
           )
           if [[ "$exists" == false ]]; then
-            # Keep stable releases and prereleases private until all uploads succeed.
-            # Publishing a draft emits published rather than prereleased events.
+            # Prereleases must be created directly to keep prereleased events.
+            draft=true
+            if [[ "$PRERELEASE" == true ]]; then
+              draft=false
+            fi
             gh release create "$GITHUB_REF_NAME" "${release_args[@]}" \
-              --draft=true --verify-tag --latest=false
+              --draft="$draft" --verify-tag --latest=false
           fi
 
           mapfile -d '' assets < <(find dist -type f -print0 | sort -z)