diff --git a/bin/build-helper b/bin/build-helper
index 1de2eb94..93401d3b 100755
--- a/bin/build-helper
+++ b/bin/build-helper
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ eof
 
     release-git-tag)
         target_version=$($0 changelog-version)
-        if git rev-parse --verify refs/tags/$target_version; then
+        if git rev-parse --verify refs/tags/$target_version 2>/dev/null; then
             echo "Tag for $target_version exists, aborting"
             exit 1
         fi