diff --git a/hive-forge/src/verbs/ci_runs.rs b/hive-forge/src/verbs/ci_runs.rs
index c7bf9881..1c6c3fc5 100644
--- a/hive-forge/src/verbs/ci_runs.rs
+++ b/hive-forge/src/verbs/ci_runs.rs
@@ -41,9 +41,13 @@ pub struct Args {
 /// Returns an error if the list request fails (network, or a non-2xx).
 pub fn run(client: &Client, args: Args) -> Result<()> {
     let (owner, name) = client.owner_repo()?;
+    let qualified_ref = args.branch.as_deref().map(qualify_ref);
+    if let (Some(given), Some(resolved)) = (args.branch.as_deref(), qualified_ref.as_deref()) {
+        eprintln!("hive-forge: --branch {given:?} -> {resolved}");
+    }
     let query = ListActionRunsQuery {
         workflow_id: args.workflow.clone(),
-        r#ref: args.branch.as_deref().map(qualify_ref),
+        r#ref: qualified_ref,
         ..Default::default()
     };
     let body = client