diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 4b65c5777e7..c0968e1705d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -514,6 +514,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           repository: rescript-lang/rescript-lang.org
+          ref: v12
           ssh-key: ${{ secrets.RESCRIPT_LANG_ORG_DEPLOY_KEY }}
 
       - name: Download artifacts
@@ -552,7 +553,7 @@ jobs:
           git config --global user.email "github-actions@rescript-lang.org"
           git add data/api
           git commit -m "Update API docs for $GITHUB_REF_NAME"
-          git push
+          git push origin HEAD:v12
 
   test-installation-npm:
     needs:
diff --git a/changes/v12-api-docs-branch.internal.md b/changes/v12-api-docs-branch.internal.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b1b8902dcd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/v12-api-docs-branch.internal.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+- Keep v12 API documentation checks and publication on website branch `v12`
+  when the website's default branch changes.