diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish_testpypi.yml b/.github/workflows/publish_testpypi.yml
index 83bc1c9d..2a4390b0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish_testpypi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish_testpypi.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ jobs:
       - run: git checkout ${{ github.ref_name }}
       - run: uv python install ${{ matrix.pyvers }}
       - run: git status
-      - run: uv sync --all-extras || git status && false
+      # don't modify sync file! messes up version!
+      - run: uv sync --frozen --all-extras
       - run: git restore . # delete uv.lock changest
       - run: uv build
       - run: uv run --no-sync choreo_get_browser