diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 6ba90cb8c..916ec5d07 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,12 @@ on:
       - main
     tags:
       - v*
+    # don't bother with this workflow if only proposals are changed
+    paths-ignore:
+      - proposals
   pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - proposals
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs: