diff --git a/.github/workflows/staleness_check.yml b/.github/workflows/staleness_check.yml
index 9933407a82..8b9c7b9fa2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/staleness_check.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/staleness_check.yml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout ${{ github.head_ref && 'PR' || matrix.branch }}
         uses: actions/checkout@ac593985615ec2ede58e132d2e21d2b1cbd6127c # v3.3.0
         with:
-          ref: ${{ github.head_ref || matrix.branch }}
+          ref: ${{ inputs.safe-checkout || github.head_ref || matrix.branch }}
 
       - name: Mark runs associated with commits
         if: ${{ github.event_name != 'schedule' && github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' }}