diff --git a/.github/workflows/hdmf_compatibility_schema.yml b/.github/workflows/hdmf_compatibility_schema.yml
index 7d745a7..26fccc7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/hdmf_compatibility_schema.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/hdmf_compatibility_schema.yml
@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@ jobs:
           python -m pip install -r requirements-dev.txt -r requirements.txt
           python -m pip install -e .
           cd src/hdmf/common/hdmf-common-schema
+          git remote update
           git fetch
-          git checkout ${{ github.ref }} # checkout branch
+          git checkout -b ${{ github.ref }} # checkout branch
           cd 
           cd hdmf
           pytest tests/unit/common/