diff --git a/.github/workflows/close_issues.yml b/.github/workflows/close_issues.yml
index 5af15afcc..ccabc70e8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/close_issues.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/close_issues.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
                   days-before-issue-stale: 21
                   days-before-issue-close: 21
                   stale-issue-label: "stale"
-                  exempt-issue-labels: "timeless, suggestion"
+                  exempt-issue-labels: "timeless, suggestion, critical"
                   stale-issue-message: "This issue has been marked as stale because it has been inactive for 3 weeks. It will be closed if it remains inactive for another 3 weeks."
                   close-issue-message: "This issue has been closed since it has been inactive for 3 weeks since it was marked as stale."
                   days-before-pr-stale: -1