diff --git a/.github/workflows/ack.yml b/.github/workflows/ack.yml
index b617f9f..745d8c9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ack.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ack.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ on:
   pull_request_target:
     types: [opened, labeled, unlabeled, synchronize]
   workflow_call: # allows reuse of this workflow from other devtools repos
-
+    secrets:
+      BOT_PAT:
+        required: false
 jobs:
   ack:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -50,6 +52,10 @@ jobs:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
 
       - name: Add PR to 'devtools' project
+        # Workaround for running this step only if BOT_PAT secret is found
+        env:
+          BOT_PAT: ${{ secrets.BOT_PAT }}
+        if: env.BOT_PAT != null
         uses: actions/add-to-project@main
         with:
           project-url: https://github.com/orgs/ansible/projects/86