diff --git a/manifest_xml.py b/manifest_xml.py
index 97df75b..66cdf3e 100644
--- a/manifest_xml.py
+++ b/manifest_xml.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 MANIFEST_FILE_NAME = 'manifest.xml'
 LOCAL_MANIFEST_NAME = 'local_manifest.xml'
+R_M = 'refs/remotes/m/'
 
 class _Default(object):
   """Project defaults within the manifest."""
@@ -168,6 +169,10 @@
     self._Load()
     return self._default
 
+  def SetMRefs(self, project):
+    if self.branch:
+      project._InitAnyMRef(R_M + self.branch)
+
   def _Unload(self):
     self._loaded = False
     self._projects = {}