diff --git a/build/tools/repopick.py b/build/tools/repopick.py
index 95aabfc..948df8a 100755
--- a/build/tools/repopick.py
+++ b/build/tools/repopick.py
@@ -251,7 +251,8 @@
 
     for project in projects:
         name = project.get('name')
-        path = project.get('path')
+        # when name and path are equal, "repo manifest" doesn't return a path at all, so fall back to name
+        path = project.get('path', name)
         revision = project.get('revision')
         if revision is None:
             for remote in remotes: