diff --git a/.github/workflows/desktop-release.yml b/.github/workflows/desktop-release.yml
index 84c985217..7741c3a54 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/desktop-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/desktop-release.yml
@@ -395,12 +395,14 @@ jobs:
 
             ### Downloads
 
-            Download the appropriate installer for your platform below.
+            If desktop artifacts were uploaded successfully, download the appropriate installer from the assets attached to this release.
 
             - **Windows**: `.msi` or `.exe` installer
             - **macOS**: `.dmg` installer (Intel and Apple Silicon)
             - **Linux**: `.AppImage`, `.deb`, or `.rpm` package
 
+            If no desktop assets are attached yet, use the self-deploy templates in [`deploy/`](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbolt/tree/main/deploy) while the release pipeline is being fixed.
+
             ### Release Notes
 
             _Add your release notes here_
@@ -424,12 +426,14 @@ jobs:
 
             ### Downloads
 
-            Download the appropriate installer for your platform below.
+            If desktop artifacts were uploaded successfully, download the appropriate installer from the assets attached to this release.
 
             - **Windows**: `.msi` or `.exe` installer
             - **macOS**: `.dmg` installer (Intel and Apple Silicon)
             - **Linux**: `.AppImage`, `.deb`, or `.rpm` package
 
+            If no desktop assets are attached yet, use the self-deploy templates in [`deploy/`](https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbolt/tree/main/deploy) instead.
+
             ---
 
             For stable releases, please visit the [latest release](../../releases/latest).
diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index 4ea6a55db..538f1fbcc 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -241,10 +241,12 @@ Once the tag exists, all platform builds run in parallel:
 
 ### Final Steps
 
-- **GitHub Release**: All artifacts uploaded to the release
+- **GitHub Release**: Desktop artifacts are attached when the desktop release workflow finishes successfully
 - **iOS TestFlight**: Testers with access are notified
 - **Android Play Store**: Available on internal track for testing
 
+If desktop assets are not attached yet, point users to the deployment templates in [`deploy/`](./deploy) instead of assuming installers are available on the GitHub release page.
+
 ## Platform-Specific Releases
 
 ### iOS-Only Releases