diff --git a/.github/workflows/auto-merge-staging-into-main.yml b/.github/workflows/auto-merge-staging-into-main.yml
index 03ec7c09..cc16f26e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/auto-merge-staging-into-main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/auto-merge-staging-into-main.yml
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout staging and create branch
         id: create_branch
         run: |
-          git checkout staging
-          git checkout -b auto-merge/staging-to-main
+          git checkout -b auto-merge/staging-to-main origin/staging
           git push origin auto-merge/staging-to-main
 
       - name: Create PR from staging → main