---
title: How to Fix 'Your Branch is Based on Origin/Master, But the Upstream is Gone' Issue in Git Repositories
description: A step-by-step guide to resolving the 'Your Branch is Based on Origin/Master, But the Upstream is Gone' issue in Git repositories.
---
If you're working with Git repositories, you may have encountered an issue where you see the message "Your branch is based on 'origin/master', but the upstream is gone." This can be frustrating, as it can cause confusion and disrupt your workflow. In this guide, we'll explain what causes this issue and provide a step-by-step solution, along with a helpful FAQ section.
## Understanding the Issue
The "upstream is gone" message generally occurs when a remote branch that your local branch was tracking has been deleted. This can be due to someone else deleting the branch or a change in branch names.
## Step-by-Step Solution
### Step 1: Check Your Remote Branches
First, check your remote branches to ensure the branch you're trying to track still exists.
```bash
git fetch --all --prune
git branch -vv
Step 2: Update Your Local Branch's Upstream
If the remote branch no longer exists, you can update your local branch's upstream by running the following command:
git branch --unset-upstream
This will remove the upstream tracking reference, allowing you to set a new one.
Step 3: Set a New Upstream Branch
To set a new upstream branch, use the git branch command with the -u or --set-upstream-to flag. For example, if you want to set the upstream to the remote branch origin/new-master, run:
git branch -u origin/new-master
Now, your local branch will track the new remote branch, and the "upstream is gone" issue should be resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the correct remote branch to set as my upstream?
You can use the git branch -r command to list all remote branches. Look for the branch that matches your local branch's purpose or ask your team members for guidance.
What happens if I don't fix the "upstream is gone" issue?
If you don't fix the issue, you may face difficulties pushing your local changes to the remote repository or pulling changes made by others.
Can I track multiple remote branches with a single local branch?
No, a local branch can only track one remote branch at a time. You can create separate local branches to track multiple remote branches.
How do I delete a remote branch?
To delete a remote branch, use the git push command with the --delete flag:
git push origin --delete branch_name
How do I rename a remote branch?
To rename a remote branch, you can follow these steps:
Rename your local branch:
git branch -m old_branch_name new_branch_name
Push the new branch to the remote repository:
git push origin new_branch_name
Delete the old remote branch:
git push origin --delete old_branch_name
- Update the upstream for the new local branch:
git branch -u origin/new_branch_name