diff --git a/src/centpkg/utils.py b/src/centpkg/utils.py
index cf98c1c..0a6a007 100644
--- a/src/centpkg/utils.py
+++ b/src/centpkg/utils.py
@@ -111,6 +111,15 @@ def do_add_remote(base_url, remote_base_url, repo, repo_path, remote_name):
         error_msg = "During create remote:\n  {0}\n  {1}".format(
             " ".join(e.command), e.stderr)
         raise rpkgError(error_msg)
+
+    try:
+        remote = [r for r in repo.remotes if r.name == remote_name][0]
+        remote.fetch()
+    except git.exc.GitCommandError as e:
+        error_msg = "During fetch remote:\n  {0}\n  {1}".format(
+            " ".join(e.command), e.stderr)
+        raise rpkgError(error_msg)
+
     return True