diff --git a/lib/git.py b/lib/git.py
index b5684d1..87cc5af 100644
--- a/lib/git.py
+++ b/lib/git.py
@@ -215,13 +215,17 @@ class Git:
         url = f"gitea@gitea.opensuse.org:{org_name}/{repo_name}.git"
         self.repo.remotes.create("origin", url)
 
-    def push(self):
+    def push(self, force=False):
         remo = self.repo.remotes["origin"]
 
         keypair = pygit2.KeypairFromAgent("gitea")
         callbacks = pygit2.RemoteCallbacks(credentials=keypair)
 
         refspecs = ["refs/heads/factory"]
-        if "refs/heads/devel" in self.repo.references:
-            refspecs.append("refs/heads/devel")
+        develspec = "refs/heads/devel"
+        if develspec in self.repo.references:
+            if force:
+                refspecs.append(f"+{develspec}:{develspec}")
+            else:
+                refspecs.append("{develspec}:{develspec}")
         remo.push(refspecs, callbacks=callbacks)
diff --git a/lib/git_exporter.py b/lib/git_exporter.py
index 1df2cc3..533bf4d 100644
--- a/lib/git_exporter.py
+++ b/lib/git_exporter.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class GitExporter:
             logging.debug(f"Committing {flat}")
             self.commit_flat(flat, branch_state)
 
-        self.git.push()
+        self.git.push(force=True)
 
     def run_gc(self):
         self.gc_cnt = self.gc_interval