diff --git a/utils/python/CIME/case.py b/utils/python/CIME/case.py
index 0e44ce3fc56..fa73b36e342 100644
--- a/utils/python/CIME/case.py
+++ b/utils/python/CIME/case.py
@@ -826,6 +826,8 @@ def create_clone(self, newcase, keepexe=False, mach_dir=None, project=None):
         # create clone from self to case
         clone_cimeroot = self.get_value("CIMEROOT")
         if newcase_cimeroot != clone_cimeroot:
+            case_branch = get_current_branch(clone_cimeroot)
+            clone_branch =  get_current_branch(newcase_cimeroot)
             logger.warning(" case  CIMEROOT is %s " %newcase_cimeroot)
             logger.warning(" clone CIMEROOT is %s " %clone_cimeroot)
             logger.warning(" It is NOT recommended to clone cases from different versions of CIME.")