diff --git a/release/README.md b/release/README.md
index 6570679b..c5be3070 100644
--- a/release/README.md
+++ b/release/README.md
@@ -41,19 +41,19 @@ You can alternatively set an explicit `release-version`. It will overwrite the `
 
 | Argument             | Description                                                                                                                     | Required? |
 |----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
-| conventional-commits | Deprecated                                                                                                                      | Optional  | 
+| conventional-commits | Deprecated                                                                                                                      | Optional  |
 | git-tag-prefix      | Set git tag prefix to the passed input. Default: 'v'                                                                             | Optional (default is `v`) |
-| github-user          | Github user name on behalf of whom the actions will be executed.                                                                | Yes       | 
-| github-user-mail     | Mail address for the given github user.                                                                                         | Yes       | 
-| github-user-token    | Token with write rights required to create the release.                                                                         | Yes       | 
-| gpg-fingerprint      | GPG fingerprint, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                           | Optional  | 
-| gpg-key              | GPG key, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                                   | Optional  | 
-| gpg-passphrase       | GPG passphrase, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                            | Optional  | 
-| strategy             | Deprecated by `release-type`.                                                                                                   | Optional  | 
+| github-user          | Github user name on behalf of whom the actions will be executed.                                                                | Yes       |
+| github-user-mail     | Mail address for the given github user.                                                                                         | Yes       |
+| github-user-token    | Token with write rights required to create the release.                                                                         | Yes       |
+| gpg-fingerprint      | GPG fingerprint, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                           | Optional  |
+| gpg-key              | GPG key, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                                   | Optional  |
+| gpg-passphrase       | GPG passphrase, represented as a string. Required for signing assets of the release.                                            | Optional  |
+| strategy             | Deprecated by `release-type`.                                                                                                   | Optional  |
 | python-version       | Python version used to create the release. (Only important for python projects)                                                 | Optional (default `"3.10"` ) |
-| ref                  | This branch's/tag's HEAD will be candidate of the next release.                                                                 | Optional (default branch) |
+| ref                  | This branch's/tag's HEAD will be candidate of the next release.                                                                 | Optional (default: `main`) |
 | release-type         | What type of release should be executed? Supported: `alpha`, `beta`, `calendar`, `major`, `minor`, `patch`, `release-candidate` | Optional (default: `patch`) |
-| release-version      | Set an explicit version, that should be released.                                                                               | Optional  | 
+| release-version      | Set an explicit version, that should be released.                                                                               | Optional  |
 | release-series  | Allow to determine release versions for an older release series like '22.4'. | Optional | None |
 | versioning-scheme    | What versioning scheme should be used for the release? Supported: `semver`, `pep440`                                            | Optional (default: `pep440` ) |
 | sign-release-files | Create and upload release file signatures. Default is 'true'. Set to an other string then 'true' to disable the signatures. | Optional (default `"true"`) |
diff --git a/release/action.yaml b/release/action.yaml
index e73a1bf2..b9a8f93a 100644
--- a/release/action.yaml
+++ b/release/action.yaml
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ inputs:
     description: "Python version used  to create the release. (Only important for python projects)"
     default: "3.10"
   ref:
-    description: "This branch's/tag's HEAD will be candidate of the next release. Default: default branch"
-    default: ""
+    description: "This branch's/tag's HEAD will be candidate of the next release. Default: main branch"
+    default: "main"
   release-type:
     description: |
       "What type of release should be executed?"
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ runs:
       with:
         allow: "true"
         github-token: ${{ inputs.github-user-token }}
-        branch: ${{ inputs.ref}}
+        branch: ${{ inputs.ref }}
 
       # Create release
     - name: Create automatic release