git version 2.17.1 git-gui version 0.21.GITGUI Steps to reproduce: 1) Open `git gui` 2) Select "Clone Existing Repository" 3) Set "Source Location" to an empty remote repository (I am trying to clone from a gitolite "wild" repo that is created on the fly during the clone). 4) Clone Result: fatal: Couldn't find remote ref HEAD fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly Expected result: Successful clone Previously reported here: https://github.com/msysgit/msysgit/issues/144 but couldn't find it anywhere in the mailing list.