diff --git a/lib/self-upgrade.bash b/lib/self-upgrade.bash
index ab5e553..3f93408 100644
--- a/lib/self-upgrade.bash
+++ b/lib/self-upgrade.bash
@@ -20,12 +20,17 @@ function development_upgrade {
 
   cd "$MIAOU_BASH_DIR"/ || return 12 # should not happen
   [[ -n "$(git status --porcelain)" ]] &&
-    >&2 echo "ERROR: repository has uncommited changes" &&
+    >&2 echo 'ERROR: repository has uncommited changes!' &&
     builtin exit 12
 
-  git pull
-  sudo_root
-  sudo miaou lib/initiate.bash
+  local git_output
+  git_output=$(git pull 2>&1)
+  if echo "$git_output" | grep -q 'up to date'; then
+    : # does nothing
+  else
+    sudo_root
+    sudo miaou lib/initiate.bash
+  fi
 }
 
 function system_upgrade {