diff --git a/packit/api.py b/packit/api.py
index c5afd62b8..871145433 100644
--- a/packit/api.py
+++ b/packit/api.py
@@ -1069,10 +1069,11 @@ def push_and_create_pr(
         git_branch: str,
         repo: Union[Upstream, DistGit],
     ) -> PullRequest:
+        # the branch may already be up, let's push forcefully
+        repo.push_to_fork(repo.local_project.ref, force=True)
+
         pr = repo.existing_pr(pr_title, pr_description.rstrip(), git_branch)
         if pr is None:
-            # the branch may already be up, let's push forcefully
-            repo.push_to_fork(repo.local_project.ref, force=True)
             pr = repo.create_pull(
                 pr_title,
                 pr_description,