diff --git a/.github/actions/rename_towncrier/rename_towncrier.py b/.github/actions/rename_towncrier/rename_towncrier.py
index 4fe6f556dba..a6183998449 100755
--- a/.github/actions/rename_towncrier/rename_towncrier.py
+++ b/.github/actions/rename_towncrier/rename_towncrier.py
@@ -54,15 +54,3 @@
     print(f"Renaming {fro} to {to}")
     if real:
         subprocess.check_call(["git", "mv", fro, to])
-else:
-    exit(0)
-if real:
-    subprocess.check_call(
-        ["git", "commit", "-am", f"DOC: Rename towncrier file(s) for PR {pr_num}"]
-    )
-    subprocess.check_call(["git", "push"])
-    print(
-        "Pushed commit to GitHub, exiting with failing status to prevent further "
-        "checks"
-    )
-    exit(1)  # don't proceed with other checks
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_changelog.yml b/.github/workflows/check_changelog.yml
index f77e6580ba3..8688bb86089 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_changelog.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_changelog.yml
@@ -17,13 +17,18 @@ jobs:
     defaults:
       run:
         shell: bash -el {0}
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
-          ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.ref }}
-          token: ${{ secrets.WORKFLOW_GIT_ACCESS_TOKEN }}
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
       - run: actions/setup-python@v5
       - run: |
           pip install --upgrade towncrier pygithub
           python ./.github/actions/rename_towncrier/rename_towncrier.py
-      - uses: larsoner/action-towncrier-changelog@co  # revert to scientific-python @ 0.1.1 once bug is fixed
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+        id: commit-action
+      - run: exit 1
+        if: steps.commit-action.outputs.changes_detected == 'false'
+        # - uses: larsoner/action-towncrier-changelog@co  # revert to scientific-python @ 0.1.1 once bug is fixed