diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index fe3ac75..a802023 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -31,10 +31,6 @@ update:
     # we have a custom domain
     - git remote rm origin && git remote add origin ssh://git@gitlab.skynet.ie:2222/compsoc/skynet/nixos.git
     - git push origin HEAD:$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME
-    # update teh hash for further along in the pipeline
-    # https://nsirap.com/posts/043-change-value-of-variable-in-gitlab%20copy/
-    - printf '%s' "FLAKE_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse HEAD)" >> flake.env
-  artifacts:
     reports:
       dotenv: flake.env
   only:
@@ -48,7 +44,7 @@ build:
   before_script:
     - . "$HOME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh"
     # use the new flake
-    - (if [ "$FLAKE_COMMIT" != "" ]; then git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT; fi);
+    - git pull
   script:
     - nix --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' run nixpkgs#colmena -- build
 
@@ -63,7 +59,7 @@ deploy:
     - chmod 700 ~/.ssh
     # load nix environment
     - . "$HOME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh"
-    - (if [ "$FLAKE_COMMIT" != "" ]; then git pull origin $FLAKE_COMMIT; fi);
+    - git pull
   script:
       # dns is always deployed first
     - nix --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' run nixpkgs#colmena -- apply --on @active-dns