diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index 04bacb7..e317738 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -118,6 +118,18 @@
 // Release stage only only if criteria are met
 lazyStage {
 	name = 'release'
+	onlyif = ( lazyConfig['branch'] != releaseBranch && ! lazyConfig.env.RELEASE )
+	// Dummy stage to conserve history when not releasing
+	// Not needed if we always release for release branch
+	tasks = [
+		run: {
+			echo('Nothing to do since not releasing')
+		}
+	]
+}
+
+lazyStage {
+	name = 'release'
 	onlyif = ( lazyConfig['branch'] == releaseBranch || lazyConfig.env.RELEASE )
 	// Ask version if release flag and set and we are in the branch to fork release from
 	input = [