diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index b9eba30c..1914ba05 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ generate_readme_job:
         echo "Skipping job for automated commit."
         exit 0
       fi
+    - git remote remove origin
+    - git remote add origin https://$CI_USER:$CI_TOKEN@gitlab.ms-ds.org/schmoekerei/schmoekerei-icons.git
+    - git checkout main
     - python scripts/generate_readme.py
     - export NEEDS_UPDATE="false"
     - git diff --exit-code || export NEEDS_UPDATE="true"
@@ -18,9 +21,6 @@ generate_readme_job:
     - git config --global user.name "GitLab CI"
     - |
       if [ $NEEDS_UPDATE = "true" ]; then
-        git remote remove origin
-        git remote add origin https://$CI_USER:$CI_TOKEN@gitlab.ms-ds.org/schmoekerei/schmoekerei-icons.git
-        git checkout main
         git add README.md
         git commit -m "Auto-updated README"
         git push origin main:main