From: Teemu Likonen Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:51:36 GMT Subject: builtin-remote bug: Stale tracking branch after "git clone" Message-ID: <200803140951.36514.tlikonen@iki.fi> Hi I have found a recently added bug. I'm using git version 1.5.4.4.537.gb75aa ('master' branch). I can't describe it technically so I just type instructions how to reproduce it: 1) Clone some git repository. I think any repo will do. 2) Type "git remote show origin" in that cloned repo. You'll see something like this: * remote origin URL: [...] Remote branch merged with 'git pull' while on branch master master Stale tracking branch (use 'git remote prune') HEAD Tracked remote branch master $ find .git/refs/remotes .git/refs/remotes/ .git/refs/remotes/origin .git/refs/remotes/origin/HEAD .git/refs/remotes/origin/master 3) As git asked, type "git remote prune origin". 4) Do "git remote show origin" again and it will display this: * remote origin URL: [...] Remote branch merged with 'git pull' while on branch master master New remote branch (next fetch will store in remotes/origin) master [Hmm, interesting] Seems like .git/refs/remotes/origin/master was deleted: $ find .git/refs/remotes/ .git/refs/remotes/ .git/refs/remotes/origin .git/refs/remotes/origin/HEAD 5) Now fetch that "new" remote branch again with "git fetch" and you'll see this: error: refs/remotes/origin/HEAD points nowhere! From [...] * [new branch] master -> origin/master 6) Now we're back in the beginning. See item 2.