diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index fc008598..d43268f8 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ try {
         git(url: "ssh://git@github.com/TRIQS/docker.git", branch: env.BRANCH_NAME, credentialsId: "ssh", changelog: false)
         sh "echo '160000 commit ${commit}\t${projectName}' | git update-index --index-info"
         sh """
-          git commit --author='Flatiron Jenkins <jenkins@flatironinstitute.org>' --allow-empty -m 'Autoupdate ${projectName}' -m '${env.BUILD_TAG}'
+          git commit --author='Flatiron Jenkins <jenkins@flatironinstitute.org>' -m 'Autoupdate ${projectName}' -m '${env.BUILD_TAG}'
         """
         // note: credentials used above don't work (need JENKINS-28335)
         sh "git push origin ${env.BRANCH_NAME}"