diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml b/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
index fdc86f4e0c..cf246e1178 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ env:
   UPSTREAM_BRANCH: ${{ github.ref_name }} # branch on upstream repository to sync from (replace with specific branch name if needed)
   TARGET_BRANCH: ${{ github.ref_name }} # target branch on fork to be kept in sync, and target branch on upstream to be kept alive (replace with specific branch name if needed)
   ALIVE_BRANCH: alive
-  WORKFLOW_PERMISSIONS: false
 
 jobs:
   validate:
@@ -65,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
         fi
     
     - name: Create alive branch
-      if: env.ALIVE_BRANCH_EXISTS != 'true'
+      if: env.ALIVE_BRANCH_EXISTS == 'false'
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
       run: |
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ jobs:
   # Checks for changes in upstream repository; if changes exist prompts sync for build
   # Performs keepalive to avoid stale fork
   check_latest_from_upstream:
-    needs: check_alive_and_permissions
+    needs: [validate, check_alive_and_permissions]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Check upstream and keep alive
     outputs: 
@@ -156,7 +155,7 @@ jobs:
   # Builds Loop
   build:
     name: Build
-    needs: check_latest_from_upstream
+    needs: [validate, check_alive_and_permissions, check_latest_from_upstream]
     runs-on: macos-13
     permissions:
       contents: write