diff --git a/project.py b/project.py
index 29f6b1e8..f838c6f4 100644
--- a/project.py
+++ b/project.py
@@ -1026,10 +1026,11 @@ class Project(object):
     if GitCommand(self, cmd, bare=True).Wait() != 0:
       raise UploadError('Upload failed')
 
-    msg = "posted to %s for %s" % (branch.remote.review, dest_branch)
-    self.bare_git.UpdateRef(R_PUB + branch.name,
-                            R_HEADS + branch.name,
-                            message=msg)
+    if not dryrun:
+      msg = "posted to %s for %s" % (branch.remote.review, dest_branch)
+      self.bare_git.UpdateRef(R_PUB + branch.name,
+                              R_HEADS + branch.name,
+                              message=msg)
 
 # Sync ##
   def _ExtractArchive(self, tarpath, path=None):