diff --git a/zuul/merger/merger.py b/zuul/merger/merger.py
index 3ab7b5f..f970b03 100644
--- a/zuul/merger/merger.py
+++ b/zuul/merger/merger.py
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
         repo = self.getRepo(project, url)
         try:
             self.log.info("Updating local repository %s", project)
-            repo.update()
+            repo.reset()
         except Exception:
             self.log.exception("Unable to update %s", project)