diff --git a/git.go b/git.go
index a004ef2..4b67898 100644
--- a/git.go
+++ b/git.go
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ func (rs *RepoStatus) CheckBranches() bool {
 			log.Log(INFO, hash, output, b)
 		} else {
 			log.Warn("UNKNOWN BRANCHES IN THIS REPO")
-			rs.versionMessage.SetText("UNKNOWN BRANCHES")
+			rs.versionCmdOutput.SetText("UNKNOWN BRANCHES")
 			perfect = false
 			parts := strings.Split(b, "/")
 			log.Warn("git push", parts)
diff --git a/update.go b/update.go
index 908b990..75f4af3 100644
--- a/update.go
+++ b/update.go
@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ func (rs *RepoStatus) EnableSelectTag() {
 
 	rs.develMerge.SetLabel("ready to release")
 
-	// force there to be a commit message
-	rs.releaseVersion.Disable()
+	if len(rs.versionMessage.String()) == 0 {
+		// force there to be a commit message
+		rs.releaseVersion.Disable()
+	} else {
+		rs.generateCmd()
+		rs.releaseVersion.Enable()
+	}
 }