diff --git a/.github/workflows/update_documentation.yml b/.github/workflows/update_documentation.yml
index 08f61f8d9..40806c22f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update_documentation.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update_documentation.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Create and switch to gh-pages branch
         run: |
-          git checkout gh-pages
+          git checkout -b gh-pages
           git pull origin gh-pages || true
       
       - name: Copy built documentation