diff --git a/salt/pillar/git_pillar.py b/salt/pillar/git_pillar.py
index 0fcd056ca6..d49234ef29 100644
--- a/salt/pillar/git_pillar.py
+++ b/salt/pillar/git_pillar.py
@@ -100,11 +100,10 @@ def update(branch, repo_location):
     pid = os.getpid()
     repo = init(branch, repo_location)
     try:
-        repo.git.checkout(branch)
+        repo.git.checkout("origin/" + branch)
     except git.exc.GitCommandError as e:
         logging.error('Unable to checkout branch {0}: {1}'.format(branch, e))
         return False
-    repo.git.pull()
     return True