diff --git a/send-pack.c b/send-pack.c
index 0cb44aba94..716c11bbdc 100644
--- a/send-pack.c
+++ b/send-pack.c
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 	struct strbuf req_buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf cap_buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct ref *ref;
-	int new_refs;
+	int need_pack_data = 0;
 	int allow_deleting_refs = 0;
 	int status_report = 0;
 	int use_sideband = 0;
@@ -276,13 +276,12 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 	/*
 	 * Finally, tell the other end!
 	 */
-	new_refs = 0;
 	for (ref = remote_refs; ref; ref = ref->next) {
 		if (!ref_update_to_be_sent(ref, args))
 			continue;
 
 		if (!ref->deletion)
-			new_refs++;
+			need_pack_data = 1;
 
 		if (args->dry_run) {
 			ref->status = REF_STATUS_OK;
@@ -327,7 +326,7 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 		in = demux.out;
 	}
 
-	if (new_refs && cmds_sent) {
+	if (need_pack_data && cmds_sent) {
 		if (pack_objects(out, remote_refs, extra_have, args) < 0) {
 			for (ref = remote_refs; ref; ref = ref->next)
 				ref->status = REF_STATUS_NONE;