diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade-python-requirements.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade-python-requirements.yml
index e95c079..bf567d6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade-python-requirements.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade-python-requirements.yml
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ on:
       branch:
         description: "Target branch against which to create requirements PR"
         required: true
-        default: '$default-branch'
+        default: 'master'
 
 jobs:
   call-upgrade-python-requirements-workflow:
     uses: openedx/.github/.github/workflows/upgrade-python-requirements.yml@master
     with:
-      branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch || '$default-branch' }}
+      branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch || 'master' }}
       # optional parameters below; fill in if you'd like github or email notifications
       # user_reviewers: ""
       # team_reviewers: ""