diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index c5fb3df..7692f7a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ jobs:
               sqlite3, stringprep, stun, xmpp, yconf]} ]}.' >>rebar.config
         echo '{ct_extra_params, "-verbosity 20"}.' >>rebar.config
 
+    - name: Remove syntax_tools from release
+      run: sed -i 's|, syntax_tools||g' src/ejabberd.app.src.script
+
     - name: Cache rebar
       uses: actions/cache@v3
       with: