diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index b882da192871..8ad3f99a249d 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -1115,7 +1115,7 @@ ChangeLog:
 	  ./$(emacslog) -o $(CHANGELOG) -n $(CHANGELOG_HISTORY_INDEX_MAX)
 
 # Check that we are in a good state for changing history.
-PREFERRED_BRANCH = master
+PREFERRED_BRANCH = emacs-26
 preferred-branch-is-current:
 	git branch | grep -q '^\* $(PREFERRED_BRANCH)$$'
 unchanged-history-files: