diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yaml b/.github/workflows/stale.yaml
index 6819cc3a10b78..f2d49ab5d337e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stale.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale.yaml
@@ -15,8 +15,10 @@ jobs:
       # https://github.com/actions/stale/pull/775
       - uses: actions/stale@v6.0.0
         with:
-          stale-issue-label: stale
-          stale-pr-label: stale
+          stale-issue-label: 'stale'
+          stale-pr-label: 'stale'
+          exempt-issue-labels: 'never stale'
+          exempt-pr-labels: 'never stale'
           # Pull Requests become stale more quickly due to merge conflicts.
           # Also, we promote minimizing WIP.
           days-before-pr-stale: 7