diff --git a/scripts/collect_release_information.py b/scripts/collect_release_information.py
index 52b9acd2519330751f2b4f69353f37de13a005ab..6ba065fdb9dca153d2659d1668184498acaced2c 100755
--- a/scripts/collect_release_information.py
+++ b/scripts/collect_release_information.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 import argparse
+import copy
 import sys
 import tempfile
 
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ def merge_variables(
     Returns:
         A dictionary containing merged variables
     """
-    merged = first
+    merged = copy.deepcopy(first)
     for key, value in second.items():
         if key not in first:
             merged[key] = value