diff --git a/dist/tools/backport_pr/backport_pr.py b/dist/tools/backport_pr/backport_pr.py
index 281ccb11db..bb84371230 100755
--- a/dist/tools/backport_pr/backport_pr.py
+++ b/dist/tools/backport_pr/backport_pr.py
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ def main():
         origin = _find_remote(repo, username, REPO)
         print("Pushing branch {} to {}".format(new_branch, origin))
         if not args.noop:
-            repo.git.push(origin, '{0}:{0}'.format(new_branch))
+            push_info = origin.push('{0}:{0}'.format(new_branch))
+            new_branch.set_tracking_branch(push_info[0].remote_ref)
     except Exception as exc:
         # Delete worktree
         print("Pruning temporary workdir at {}".format(worktree_dir))