diff --git a/tools/patman/gitutil.py b/tools/patman/gitutil.py
index fbd170f178..80edc7c2c6 100644
--- a/tools/patman/gitutil.py
+++ b/tools/patman/gitutil.py
@@ -481,6 +481,8 @@ def GetDefaultUserEmail():
 def Setup():
     """Set up git utils, by reading the alias files."""
     # Check for a git alias file also
+    global use_no_decorate
+
     alias_fname = GetAliasFile()
     if alias_fname:
         settings.ReadGitAliases(alias_fname)