Merge requests can be merged during a deploy freeze if it has a passed pipeline from before the freeze

Question

I am having a problem where an MR can still be merged during freeze period if it has a passing pipeline from before the freeze.

I have set up my .gitlab-ci.yml like below:

code-freeze-check:   
  stage: test   
  script:     
    - echo "No merge should happen during a freeze period"     
    - exit 1   
  rules:     
    - if: $CI_DEPLOY_FREEZE != null 

It behaves as expected, failing the pipeline during a freeze period.

Is there a method besides manually running the pipeline to make sure the MR has a failing pipeline during freeze periods?