diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 5b54eed826e..9714a4064fd 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -57,7 +57,11 @@ workflow:
         # Note: 0 = infinity = gitlab's job `timeout:` applies, which is 1h
         BUILD_JOB_TIMEOUT_OVERRIDE: 0
     # pipeline for direct pushes that bypassed the CI
-    - if: &is-direct-push $CI_PROJECT_NAMESPACE == "mesa" && $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "push"
+    - if: &is-direct-push $CI_PROJECT_NAMESPACE == "mesa" && $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "push" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
+      variables:
+        JOB_PRIORITY: 70
+    # pipeline for direct pushes from release maintainer
+    - if: &is-staging-push $CI_PROJECT_NAMESPACE == "mesa" && $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "push" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME =~ /^staging\//
       variables:
         JOB_PRIORITY: 70