diff --git a/.github/workflows/template_do_not_merge.yml b/.github/workflows/template_do_not_merge.yml
index ebd9f842..3b413f49 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/template_do_not_merge.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/template_do_not_merge.yml
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@ name: Do Not Merge
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      label:
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: do not merge
 
 jobs:
   do-not-merge:
@@ -14,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
     # see https://docs.github.com/en/actions/learn-github-actions/expressions#contains
     steps:
       - name: fail if label exists
-        if: contains(github.event.pull_request.labels.*.name, 'do not merge')
+        if: contains(github.event.pull_request.labels.*.name, inputs.label)
         run: |
-          echo "This PR has the label 'do not merge'."
+          echo "This PR has the label '${{ inputs.label }}'."
           exit 1