diff --git a/openstack_releases/cmds/validate.py b/openstack_releases/cmds/validate.py
index de50b71ffe..ae41c18f0a 100644
--- a/openstack_releases/cmds/validate.py
+++ b/openstack_releases/cmds/validate.py
@@ -497,7 +497,6 @@ def validate_releases(deliverable_info, zuul_layout,
                             if not gitutils.check_branch_sha(workdir,
                                                              project['repo'],
                                                              series_name,
-                                                             defaults.RELEASE,
                                                              project['hash']):
                                 msg = '%s %s not present in %s branch' % (
                                     project['repo'],
diff --git a/openstack_releases/gitutils.py b/openstack_releases/gitutils.py
index 365deda63d..86f6bc4b9f 100644
--- a/openstack_releases/gitutils.py
+++ b/openstack_releases/gitutils.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def stable_branch_exists(workdir, repo, series):
         return False
 
 
-def check_branch_sha(workdir, repo, series, master, sha):
+def check_branch_sha(workdir, repo, series, sha):
     """Check if the SHA is in the targeted branch.
 
     The SHA must appear on a stable/$series branch (if it exists) or