diff --git a/release/branch-stx.sh b/release/branch-stx.sh
index 7530825b..734bd567 100755
--- a/release/branch-stx.sh
+++ b/release/branch-stx.sh
@@ -57,12 +57,14 @@ function update_gitreview {
 defaultbranch=$branch"
     echo "$grcontents" > .gitreview
     git add .gitreview
-    git commit -s -m "Update .gitreview for $branch"
-    git show
-    if [[ -z $DRY_RUN ]]; then
-        git review -t "create-${branch}"
+    if ! git commit -s -m "Update .gitreview for $branch"; then
+        if [[ -z $DRY_RUN ]]; then
+            git review -t "create-${branch}"
+        else
+            echo "### skipping .gitreview submission to $branch"
+        fi
     else
-        echo "### skipping review submission to $branch"
+        echo "### no changes required for .gitreview"
     fi
 }