diff --git a/git-flow-release b/git-flow-release
index 602412e..e936de2 100644
--- a/git-flow-release
+++ b/git-flow-release
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 	local release_branches
 	local current_branch
 	local short_names
-	release_branches=$(echo "$LOCAL_BRANCHES" | grep "^$PREFIX")
+	release_branches=$(echo "$(gitflow_local_branches)" | grep "^$PREFIX")
 	if [ -z "$release_branches" ]; then
 		warn "No release branches exist."
 		exit 0
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@
 }
 
 require_no_existing_release_branches() {
-	local release_branches=$(echo "$LOCAL_BRANCHES" | grep "^$PREFIX")
+	local release_branches=$(echo "$(gitflow_local_branches)" | grep "^$PREFIX")
 	local first_branch=$(echo ${release_branches} | head -n1)
 	first_branch=${first_branch#$PREFIX}
 	[ -z "$release_branches" ] || \