diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 46778052..98d53312 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -106,11 +106,6 @@ ifndef bump
 endif
 
 check-git:
-	# require that you be on a branch that's linked to upstream/main
-	@if ! git status -s -b | head -1 | grep -q "\.\.upstream/main"; then \
-		echo "Error: You must be on a branch that's linked to upstream/main"; \
-		exit 1; \
-	fi
 	# require that upstream is configured for ethereum/<REPO_NAME>
 	@if ! git remote -v | grep "upstream[[:space:]]git@github.com:ethereum/<REPO_NAME>.git (push)\|upstream[[:space:]]https://github.com/ethereum/<REPO_NAME> (push)"; then \
 		echo "Error: You must have a remote named 'upstream' that points to '<REPO_NAME>'"; \