diff --git a/subcmds/start.py b/subcmds/start.py
index 2d723fc2..60ad41e0 100644
--- a/subcmds/start.py
+++ b/subcmds/start.py
@@ -59,9 +59,13 @@ revision specified in the manifest.
     for project in all_projects:
       pm.update()
       # If the current revision is a specific SHA1 then we can't push back
-      # to it so substitute the manifest default revision instead.
+      # to it; so substitute with dest_branch if defined, or with manifest
+      # default revision instead.
       if IsId(project.revisionExpr):
-        project.revisionExpr = self.manifest.default.revisionExpr
+        if project.dest_branch:
+          project.revisionExpr = project.dest_branch
+        else:
+          project.revisionExpr = self.manifest.default.revisionExpr
       if not project.StartBranch(nb):
         err.append(project)
     pm.end()