diff --git a/branches.go b/branches.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d68e40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/branches.go
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+package gitpb
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+// returns true if 'git pull' will work
+func (repo *Repo) IsBranchRemote(branchname string) bool {
+	if repo.Exists(filepath.Join(".git/refs/remotes/origin", branchname)) {
+		// todo: actually use .git/config
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}