diff --git a/.github/workflows/update-formulas.yml b/.github/workflows/update-formulas.yml
index 2e042fd9..d5d16001 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update-formulas.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update-formulas.yml
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ jobs:
   update:
     runs-on: macos-10.15
     steps:
+      - name: brew update
+        run: brew update
       - name: Checkout tap repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v2
         with:
@@ -21,8 +23,8 @@ jobs:
       - name: Symlink homebrew tap
         run: |
           mkdir -p '$(brew --repo)/Library/Taps/jimeh'
-          ln -s '${{ github.workspace }}/tap' \
-             '$(brew --repo)/Library/Taps/jimeh/homebrew-emacs-builds'
+          ln -s "${{ github.workspace }}/tap" \
+             "$(brew --repo)/Library/Taps/jimeh/homebrew-emacs-builds"
       - name: brew livecheck
         run: >-
           brew livecheck --json --quiet --tap jimeh/emacs-builds