diff --git a/synthtool/gcp/templates/java_library/.kokoro/release/snapshot.sh b/synthtool/gcp/templates/java_library/.kokoro/release/snapshot.sh
index bf738c56d..098168a73 100755
--- a/synthtool/gcp/templates/java_library/.kokoro/release/snapshot.sh
+++ b/synthtool/gcp/templates/java_library/.kokoro/release/snapshot.sh
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ source $(dirname "$0")/common.sh
 MAVEN_SETTINGS_FILE=$(realpath $(dirname "$0")/../../)/settings.xml
 pushd $(dirname "$0")/../../
 
+# ensure we're trying to push a snapshot (no-result returns non-zero exit code)
+grep SNAPSHOT versions.txt
+
 setup_environment_secrets
 create_settings_xml_file "settings.xml"
 
@@ -27,4 +30,4 @@ mvn clean install deploy -B \
   -DperformRelease=true \
   -Dgpg.executable=gpg \
   -Dgpg.passphrase=${GPG_PASSPHRASE} \
-  -Dgpg.homedir=${GPG_HOMEDIR}
\ No newline at end of file
+  -Dgpg.homedir=${GPG_HOMEDIR}