diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yaml b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
index 37d65c1..18e0b84 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
@@ -39,5 +39,5 @@ jobs:
     with:
       script: "ci/build_docs.sh"
       # only deploy docs on tag pushes or when someone manually runs the workflow
-      deploy: ${{ github.event_name == 'tag' || inputs.deploy_docs == true }}
+      deploy: ${{ github.event_name == 'tag' || (github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.deploy_docs == 'true') }}
     secrets: inherit
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr.yaml b/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
index 8711143..58e5e39 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
@@ -24,8 +24,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: do-stuff
         run: |
           echo "inputs.deploy_docs: ${{ inputs.deploy_docs }}"
-          echo "inputs.deploy_docs == true: ${{ inputs.deploy_docs == true }}"
+          echo "inputs.deploy_docs == 'true': ${{ inputs.deploy_docs == 'true' }}"
           echo "github.event_name: ${{ github.event_name }}"
+          echo "big compound condition: ${{ github.event_name == 'tag' || (github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.deploy_docs == 'true') }}"
+          echo "github.event_name == 'push': ${{ github.event_name == 'push' }}"
   docs-build:
     needs:
       - check-settings