diff --git a/scripts/release.sh b/scripts/release.sh
index aeac147418..2d45d26ad1 100755
--- a/scripts/release.sh
+++ b/scripts/release.sh
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ get_parameters() {
 
 pre_release_check() {
     announce "Ensuring dfx and replica are not running."
-    if pgrep dfx replica ; then
+    if pgrep -x dfx replica ; then
         echo "dfx and replica cannot still be running.  kill them and try again."
         exit 1
     fi