diff --git a/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/finder.go b/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/finder.go
index a54528527..6e0ea0401 100644
--- a/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/finder.go
+++ b/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/finder.go
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ func (f *finder) Find(opts FindOptions) (*api.PullRequest, ghrepo.Interface, err
 	}
 
 	var pr *api.PullRequest
-	if f.prNumber > 0 {
+	if f.prNumber > 0 || f.branchName == "" {
 		if numberFieldOnly {
 			// avoid hitting the API if we already have all the information
 			return &api.PullRequest{Number: f.prNumber}, f.baseRefRepo, nil