diff --git a/utils/general.py b/utils/general.py
index 842f28c60886..ac9b0cefd7c8 100755
--- a/utils/general.py
+++ b/utils/general.py
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ def git_describe(path=ROOT):  # path must be a directory
 
 @TryExcept()
 @WorkingDirectory(ROOT)
-def check_git_status(repo='ultralytics/yolov5'):
+def check_git_status(repo='ultralytics/yolov5', branch='master'):
     # YOLOv5 status check, recommend 'git pull' if code is out of date
     url = f'https://github.com/{repo}'
     msg = f', for updates see {url}'
@@ -316,10 +316,10 @@ def check_git_status(repo='ultralytics/yolov5'):
         remote = 'ultralytics'
         check_output(f'git remote add {remote} {url}', shell=True)
     check_output(f'git fetch {remote}', shell=True, timeout=5)  # git fetch
-    branch = check_output('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', shell=True).decode().strip()  # checked out
-    n = int(check_output(f'git rev-list {branch}..{remote}/master --count', shell=True))  # commits behind
+    local_branch = check_output('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', shell=True).decode().strip()  # checked out
+    n = int(check_output(f'git rev-list {local_branch}..{remote}/{branch} --count', shell=True))  # commits behind
     if n > 0:
-        pull = 'git pull' if remote == 'origin' else f'git pull {remote} master'
+        pull = 'git pull' if remote == 'origin' else f'git pull {remote} {branch}'
         s += f"⚠️ YOLOv5 is out of date by {n} commit{'s' * (n > 1)}. Use `{pull}` or `git clone {url}` to update."
     else:
         s += f'up to date with {url} ✅'