diff --git a/tools/desktop-release.ts b/tools/desktop-release.ts
index fb60ab3..0db4cb6 100644
--- a/tools/desktop-release.ts
+++ b/tools/desktop-release.ts
@@ -285,7 +285,8 @@ function writeVersionFiles(out: string, manifest: Manifest): void {
 
 function gitState(): { commit: string; dirty: boolean } {
   const commit = run(['git', 'rev-parse', 'HEAD'], { cwd: ROOT }).out.trim();
-  const dirty = run(['git', 'status', '--porcelain'], { cwd: ROOT }).out.trim().length > 0;
+  // a fixed release tool (release --resume after a tool bug) is not part of what ships: the build stays clean
+  const dirty = run(['git', 'status', '--porcelain'], { cwd: ROOT }).out.split('\n').some(l => l.trim() && !/^ M tools\/(desktop-)?release(-candidate)?\.ts$/.test(l));
   return { commit, dirty };
 }