diff --git a/spcd.sh b/spcd.sh
index 4ac221e..b8d7ed1 100644
--- a/spcd.sh
+++ b/spcd.sh
@@ -127,8 +127,11 @@ spcd_set_environment_variables() {
 	else
 		spcd_error_ci "ø"
 	fi
-	# extra check
-	[ -n "${SPCD_PROJECT_BRANCH}" ] || spcd_error_ci "SPCD_PROJECT_BRANCH"
+	# check project variables
+	case "${SPCD_PROJECT_BRANCH}" in
+	"${SPCD_BRANCH_RELEASE}" | "${SPCD_BRANCH_STAGING}") ;;
+	*) spcd_error_ci "SPCD_PROJECT_BRANCH" ;;
+	esac
 	[ -n "${SPCD_PROJECT_ROOT}" ] || spcd_error_ci "SPCD_PROJECT_ROOT"
 	[ -n "${SPCD_PROJECT_PATH}" ] || spcd_error_ci "SPCD_PROJECT_PATH"
 	[ -n "${SPCD_PROJECT_NAME}" ] || spcd_error_ci "SPCD_PROJECT_NAME"