diff --git a/eng/pipelines/templates/stages/archetype-python-release.yml b/eng/pipelines/templates/stages/archetype-python-release.yml
index 6632d6f6bdd3..1c4e028a1c01 100644
--- a/eng/pipelines/templates/stages/archetype-python-release.yml
+++ b/eng/pipelines/templates/stages/archetype-python-release.yml
@@ -141,7 +141,11 @@ stages:
             - deployment: PublishPackage
               displayName: "Publish to ${{ parameters.PublicFeed }}"
               condition: and(succeeded(), ne(variables['Skip.PublishPackage'], 'true'))
-              environment: ${{ parameters.PublicPublishEnvironment }}
+              # Auto-release runs after merge on main and must not wait on the package-publish approval gate.
+              ${{ if and(eq(variables['Build.Reason'], 'IndividualCI'), eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/main')) }}:
+                environment: none
+              ${{ else }}:
+                environment: ${{ parameters.PublicPublishEnvironment }}
               dependsOn: TagRepository
 
               templateContext: