diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-to-readthedocs-repo.yaml b/.github/workflows/sync-to-readthedocs-repo.yaml
index 76031943d..941ad4e17 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-to-readthedocs-repo.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-to-readthedocs-repo.yaml
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Push corresponding reference to mirror repo
         run: |
+          git fetch --unshallow origin ${{ needs.extract_branch_or_tag.outputs.ref_name }}
+          git pull origin ${{ needs.extract_branch_or_tag.outputs.ref_name }}
           git remote add mirror https://github.com/flexcompute-readthedocs/tidy3d-docs.git
           git push mirror ${{ needs.extract_branch_or_tag.outputs.ref_name }} --force # overwrites always
         env: