diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 1c10c71..a8f0b12 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ publishing {
 
 // setup JAR signing
 signing {
+    required { !version.endsWith('-SNAPSHOT') }
+
     String signingKey = project.findProperty('signing.armored.key') ?: ''
     String signingPassword = project.findProperty('signing.armored.password') ?: ''
 
@@ -192,11 +194,6 @@ nexusPublishing {
     }
 }
 
-// don't try to release a snapshot to a non-snapshot repository, that won't work anyway
-if (version.endsWith('-SNAPSHOT')) {
-    gradle.startParameter.excludedTaskNames += 'closeAndReleaseSonatypeStagingRepository'
-}
-
 // Gradle wrapper, this allows to build the project without having to install Gradle!
 wrapper {
     gradleVersion = '8.4'