diff --git a/.github/workflows/goldenfile-checker.yml b/.github/workflows/goldenfile-checker.yml
index 3882cb24d67e..fed1f30471dc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/goldenfile-checker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/goldenfile-checker.yml
@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check for golden file xds tests in diff
         run: ./.github/scripts/goldenfile_checker.sh
         env:
-          GITHUB_BRANCH_REF: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head }}
+          GITHUB_BRANCH_REF: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.ref }}