diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-e2e.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-e2e.yml
index b42663d..eb6cb93 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-e2e.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-e2e.yml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Wait for successful publish
         id: wait-for-successful-publish
         run: |
-          START_TIME=$SECONDS
+          START_TIME="$SECONDS"
           TIMESTAMP=$(date -u +"%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
           while (( SECONDS - START_TIME < 60 )); do
             echo "Polling for workflow created after $TIMESTAMP"