diff --git a/sorc/checkout.sh b/sorc/checkout.sh
index 65efe90a25..f15a9c0a7a 100755
--- a/sorc/checkout.sh
+++ b/sorc/checkout.sh
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ if [[ ! -d ufs_utils.fd ]] ; then
     rm -f ${topdir}/checkout-ufs_utils.log
     git clone https://github.com/NOAA-EMC/UFS_UTILS  ufs_utils.fd >> ${topdir}/checkout-ufs_utils.fd.log 2>&1
     cd ufs_utils.fd
-    git checkout develop
+    git checkout release/v2.0.0
     cd ${topdir}
 else
     echo 'Skip.  Directory ufs_utils.fd already exists.'