diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 5e76b25a..1c806bb9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           repository: diffpy/diffpy.utils
           path: .
       - name: get tags
-        run: git fetch --tags origin
+        run: |
+          git describe --tags
+          git fetch --tags origin
+          git describe --tags
 
       - name: initialize miniconda
         # this uses a marketplace action that sets up miniconda in a way that makes