diff --git a/invenio_rdm_records/services/github/release.py b/invenio_rdm_records/services/github/release.py
index 31a0e0818..83772f1bc 100644
--- a/invenio_rdm_records/services/github/release.py
+++ b/invenio_rdm_records/services/github/release.py
@@ -64,9 +64,10 @@ def metadata(self):
 
         # Add default license if not yet added
         if not output.get("rights"):
-            output.update(
-                {"rights": [{"id": metadata.repo_license.lower() or "cc-by-4.0"}]}
-            )
+            default_license = "cc-by-4.0"
+            if metadata.repo_license:
+                default_license = metadata.repo_license.lower()
+            output.update({"rights": [{"id": default_license}]})
         return output
 
     def get_custom_fields(self):