diff --git a/bazarr/check_update.py b/bazarr/check_update.py
index 930bfda1a..f0fbe4cac 100644
--- a/bazarr/check_update.py
+++ b/bazarr/check_update.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from get_args import args
 from config import settings, bazarr_url
 from queueconfig import notifications
 
-if not args.no_update:
+if not args.no_update and not args.release_update:
     import git
 
 current_working_directory = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__))