diff --git a/hack/release-tools/tag-release.sh b/hack/release-tools/tag-release.sh
index a8591a899..11a56887f 100755
--- a/hack/release-tools/tag-release.sh
+++ b/hack/release-tools/tag-release.sh
@@ -138,8 +138,8 @@ if [[ -n $release_branch_name ]]; then
     remote_release_branch_name="$remote/$release_branch_name"
 
     # Determine whether the local and remote release branches already exist
-    local_branch=$(git branch | grep "$release_branch_name")
-    remote_branch=$(git branch -r | grep "$remote_release_branch_name")
+    local_branch=$(git branch | { grep "$release_branch_name" || true; })
+    remote_branch=$(git branch -r | { grep "$remote_release_branch_name" || true;})
     if [[ -z $remote_branch ]]; then
         echo "The branch $remote_release_branch_name must be created before you tag the release."
         exit 1