diff --git a/gitprompt.sh b/gitprompt.sh
index d679acd..684217a 100755
--- a/gitprompt.sh
+++ b/gitprompt.sh
@@ -284,6 +284,7 @@ function git_prompt_config() {
     fi
     # __GIT_STATUS_CMD defined
   fi
+  unset GIT_BRANCH
 }
 
 function setLastCommandState() {
@@ -449,7 +450,7 @@ function updatePrompt() {
   local -a git_status_fields
   git_status_fields=($("$__GIT_STATUS_CMD" 2>/dev/null))
 
-  local GIT_BRANCH=$(replaceSymbols ${git_status_fields[0]})
+  export GIT_BRANCH=$(replaceSymbols ${git_status_fields[0]})
   local GIT_REMOTE="$(replaceSymbols ${git_status_fields[1]})"
   if [[ "." == "$GIT_REMOTE" ]]; then
     unset GIT_REMOTE