diff --git a/automation_tools/flathub_push_main.sh b/automation_tools/flathub_push_main.sh
index 3f243c04..7d914a33 100755
--- a/automation_tools/flathub_push_main.sh
+++ b/automation_tools/flathub_push_main.sh
@@ -98,9 +98,15 @@ git add .
 git commit -m "Update RetroDECK to v$relname from RetroDECK/$rd_branch"
 
 if [ -n "${GITHUB_WORKFLOW}" ]; then
+
+    if ! git ls-remote --exit-code --heads origin "$relname"; then
+        echo "Branch $relname not found. Creating..."
+        git checkout -b "$relname"
+        git push -u origin "$relname"
+    fi
+
     gh auth login --with-token <<< "${GITHUB_TOKEN}"
     gh repo set-default "${flathub_target_repo}"
-    gh repo create-branch --branch "$relname"
     gh repo sync --force --branch "$relname"
 else
     git push --force "https://github.com/${flathub_target_repo}" "$relname"