diff --git a/bert_e/tests/unit/test_sorted.py b/bert_e/tests/unit/test_sorted.py
index 670b0c39..33cb80df 100644
--- a/bert_e/tests/unit/test_sorted.py
+++ b/bert_e/tests/unit/test_sorted.py
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ def test_compare_branches_major_only_vs_major_minor():
 def test_compare_branches_major_minor_micro_vs_major_minor():
     branch1 = ((4, 3, 2),)
     branch2 = ((4, 3),)
-    assert compare_branches(branch1, branch2) == -2
+    assert compare_branches(branch1, branch2) == -997
 
 
 def test_compare_branches_major_minor_vs_major_minor_micro():
     branch1 = ((4, 3),)
     branch2 = ((4, 3, 2),)
-    assert compare_branches(branch1, branch2) == 2
+    assert compare_branches(branch1, branch2) == 997
diff --git a/bert_e/workflow/gitwaterflow/branches.py b/bert_e/workflow/gitwaterflow/branches.py
index f7d615cb..5d9cca58 100644
--- a/bert_e/workflow/gitwaterflow/branches.py
+++ b/bert_e/workflow/gitwaterflow/branches.py
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ def compare_branches(branch1, branch2):
         return -1
 
     # Both are major.minor or longer - compare normally
-    minor1 = version1[1] if len(version1) > 1 else 0
-    minor2 = version2[1] if len(version2) > 1 else 0
+    minor1 = version1[1] if len(version1) > 1 else 999
+    minor2 = version2[1] if len(version2) > 1 else 999
 
     # Compare minor versions
     if minor1 != minor2:
@@ -72,13 +72,13 @@ def compare_branches(branch1, branch2):
 
     # Same major.minor - extract micro versions
     # Default to 0 if no micro
-    micro1 = version1[2] if len(version1) > 2 else 0
+    micro1 = version1[2] if len(version1) > 2 else 999
     # Default to 0 if no micro
-    micro2 = version2[2] if len(version2) > 2 else 0
+    micro2 = version2[2] if len(version2) > 2 else 999
 
     # Compare micro versions
     if micro1 != micro2:
-        return micro2 - micro1
+        return micro1 - micro2
     else:
         return 0