diff --git a/functions-common b/functions-common
index c7a1c6e0bf..d8b15024a8 100644
--- a/functions-common
+++ b/functions-common
@@ -609,8 +609,9 @@ function git_clone {
                 echo "the project to the \$PROJECTS variable in the job definition."
                 die $LINENO "ERROR_ON_CLONE is set to True so cloning not allowed in this configuration"
             fi
-            # '--branch' can also take tags
-            git_timed clone $git_clone_flags $git_remote $git_dest --branch $git_ref
+            git_timed clone $git_clone_flags $git_remote $git_dest
+            cd $git_dest
+            git checkout $git_ref
         elif [[ "$RECLONE" = "True" ]]; then
             # if it does exist then simulate what clone does if asked to RECLONE
             cd $git_dest