diff --git a/bench/app.py b/bench/app.py
index 5ff210b9..b1fddfce 100755
--- a/bench/app.py
+++ b/bench/app.py
@@ -423,11 +423,14 @@ def get_apps_json(path):
 		return json.load(f)
 
 def validate_branch():
-	for app in ['frappe', 'erpnext']:
+	installed_apps = get_apps()
+	check_apps = ['frappe', 'erpnext'] #this is a dirty work-around. bench update should not assume that erpnext is installed
+	intersection_apps = list(set(installed_apps) & set(check_apps))
+	for app in intersection_apps:
 		branch = get_current_branch(app)
 
 		if branch == "master":
 			print(''' master branch is renamed to version-11 and develop to version-12. Please switch to new branches to get future updates.
 
 To switch to version 11, run the following commands: bench switch-to-branch version-11''')
-			sys.exit(1)
\ No newline at end of file
+			sys.exit(1)