diff --git a/gclient_scm.py b/gclient_scm.py
index 8380b34516..955c35dacd 100644
--- a/gclient_scm.py
+++ b/gclient_scm.py
@@ -213,6 +213,8 @@ class GitWrapper(SCMWrapper, scm.GIT):
     self._Run(['remote', 'update'], redirect_stdout=False)
     files = self._Run(['diff', new_base, '--name-only']).split()
     file_list.extend([os.path.join(self.checkout_path, f) for f in files])
+    if options.force:
+      self._Run(['reset', '--hard', merge_base], redirect_stdout=False)
     self._Run(['rebase', '-v', '--onto', new_base, merge_base, cur_branch],
                 redirect_stdout=False, checkrc=False)