diff --git a/crates/cuddle-please-commands/src/release_command.rs b/crates/cuddle-please-commands/src/release_command.rs
index c8c8272..af58090 100644
--- a/crates/cuddle-please-commands/src/release_command.rs
+++ b/crates/cuddle-please-commands/src/release_command.rs
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ impl ReleaseCommandHandler {
                         owner,
                         repository,
                         &next_version.to_string(),
-                        &changelog_last_changes.unwrap(),
+                        &changelog_last_changes
+                            .ok_or(anyhow::anyhow!("could not get the latest changes"))?,
                         existing_pr,
                     )?
                 } else {
@@ -164,7 +165,8 @@ impl ReleaseCommandHandler {
                         owner,
                         repository,
                         &next_version.to_string(),
-                        &changelog,
+                        &changelog_last_changes
+                            .ok_or(anyhow::anyhow!("could not get the latest changes"))?,
                         branch,
                     )?
                 } else {