diff --git a/tools/release-operator/src/registry.rs b/tools/release-operator/src/registry.rs
index 09a0e7944..85b92bbeb 100644
--- a/tools/release-operator/src/registry.rs
+++ b/tools/release-operator/src/registry.rs
@@ -152,13 +152,11 @@ impl Crate {
     fn submit(&self, token: &SecUtf8, dry_run: bool) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         log::info!("{self} publishing new version");
 
-        let current_dir = std::env::current_dir()
-            .context("determine current working directory")?;
-        std::env::set_current_dir(&self.path)
-            .context("switch working directory to the crate in scope")?;
-
         let mut command = Command::new("cargo");
-        command.arg("publish").args(["--token", token.unsecure()]);
+        command
+            .arg("publish")
+            .args(["--token", token.unsecure()])
+            .current_dir(&self.path);
 
         if dry_run {
             command.arg("--dry-run");
@@ -177,9 +175,6 @@ impl Crate {
             }
         }
 
-        std::env::set_current_dir(current_dir)
-            .context("reset working directory")?;
-
         Ok(())
     }
 }