diff --git a/tests/tools/private/release/release_test_helper.py b/tests/tools/private/release/release_test_helper.py
index c1d314360f..064b5c260c 100644
--- a/tests/tools/private/release/release_test_helper.py
+++ b/tests/tools/private/release/release_test_helper.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class ReleaseToolEnv:
 
 
 def _find_real_template_path() -> Path:
-    r = runfiles.Create()
+    r = runfiles.CreateOrRaise()
     path = r.Rlocation(
         "rules_python/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_tracking_template.md"
     )