diff --git a/.changeset/sour-terms-end.md b/.changeset/sour-terms-end.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fd20fa13c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/sour-terms-end.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-git-release-manager': minor
+---
+
+Errors caused while patching can leave the release branch in a broken state. Most commonly caused due to merge errors.
+
+This has been solved by introducing a dry run prior to patching the release branch. The dry run will attempt to cherry pick the selected patch commit onto a temporary branch created off of the release branch. If it succeeds, the temporary branch is deleted and the patch is applied on the release branch