diff --git a/scripts/gh_release.py b/scripts/gh_release.py
index 2454783cf..a8f76ede4 100755
--- a/scripts/gh_release.py
+++ b/scripts/gh_release.py
@@ -359,6 +359,8 @@ def env_set(name, value, pass_=False):
             if pass_:
                 env_pass(name)
 
+        env_pass('PYMUPDF_SETUP_PY_LIMITED_API')
+        
         if os.environ.get('PYMUPDF_SETUP_LIBCLANG'):
             env_pass('PYMUPDF_SETUP_LIBCLANG')