diff --git a/.github/workflows/create-release.yml b/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
index 39f4641d2..18105c04d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ jobs:
           alias: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
           keyStorePassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_STORE_PASSWORD }}
           keyPassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
+        env:
+          # override default build-tools version (29.0.3) -- optional
+          BUILD_TOOLS_VERSION: "34.0.0"
 
       - name: Sign AAB (F-Droid)
         uses: r0adkll/sign-android-release@v1
@@ -46,6 +49,9 @@ jobs:
           alias: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
           keyStorePassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_STORE_PASSWORD }}
           keyPassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
+        env:
+          # override default build-tools version (29.0.3) -- optional
+          BUILD_TOOLS_VERSION: "34.0.0"
 
       - name: Build APK
         run: ./gradlew assembleRelease --stacktrace
@@ -58,6 +64,9 @@ jobs:
           alias: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
           keyStorePassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_STORE_PASSWORD }}
           keyPassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
+        env:
+          # override default build-tools version (29.0.3) -- optional
+          BUILD_TOOLS_VERSION: "34.0.0"
 
       - name: Sign APK (F-Droid)
         uses: r0adkll/sign-android-release@v1
@@ -67,6 +76,9 @@ jobs:
           alias: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
           keyStorePassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_STORE_PASSWORD }}
           keyPassword: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
+        env:
+          # override default build-tools version (29.0.3) -- optional
+          BUILD_TOOLS_VERSION: "34.0.0"
 
       - name: Create Release
         id: create_release