diff --git a/functions-common b/functions-common
index 951010fdad..7fbb50ef57 100644
--- a/functions-common
+++ b/functions-common
@@ -534,10 +534,8 @@ function git_clone {
                 echo "the project to the \$PROJECTS variable in the job definition."
                 die $LINENO "Cloning not allowed in this configuration"
             fi
-            git_timed clone $git_clone_flags $git_remote $git_dest
-            cd $git_dest
-            # This checkout syntax works for both branches and tags
-            git checkout $git_ref
+            # '--branch' can also take tags
+            git_timed clone $git_clone_flags $git_remote $git_dest --branch $git_ref
         elif [[ "$RECLONE" = "True" ]]; then
             # if it does exist then simulate what clone does if asked to RECLONE
             cd $git_dest