diff --git a/zuul/lib/cloner.py b/zuul/lib/cloner.py
index 0ac7f0f..1ba31b7 100644
--- a/zuul/lib/cloner.py
+++ b/zuul/lib/cloner.py
@@ -148,8 +148,9 @@
             self.log.info("upstream repo has branch %s", indicated_branch)
             fallback_branch = indicated_branch
         else:
-            self.log.info("upstream repo is missing branch %s",
-                          self.branch)
+            if indicated_branch:
+                self.log.info("upstream repo is missing branch %s",
+                              indicated_branch)
             # FIXME should be origin HEAD branch which might not be 'master'
             fallback_branch = 'master'