diff --git a/scm/plugin.jelly b/scm/plugin.jelly
index 0fd625b6..5bcd4daa 100644
--- a/scm/plugin.jelly
+++ b/scm/plugin.jelly
@@ -329,8 +329,9 @@
       <c:release-version version="${version_name}" />
     </j:if>
 
+    <j:set var="testMode" value="${maven.scm.testmode}" />
     <j:choose>
-      <j:when test="${maven.scm.testmode == 'true'}">
+      <j:when test="${testMode == 'true'}">
         <ant:echo> </ant:echo>
         <ant:echo> WARNING: maven.scm.testmode is set to 'true'</ant:echo>
         <ant:echo>          Changes made above will NOT be committed and tagging the project will be skipped! </ant:echo>