diff --git a/guix/build/git.scm b/guix/build/git.scm
index 669e38cd32..deda10fee8 100644
--- a/guix/build/git.scm
+++ b/guix/build/git.scm
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ (define* (git-fetch url commit directory
              (delete-file-recursively directory)
              #f))
     (with-directory-excursion directory
-      (invoke git-command "init")
+      (invoke git-command "init" "--initial-branch=main")
       (invoke git-command "remote" "add" "origin" url)
       (if (zero? (system* git-command "fetch" "--depth" "1" "origin" commit))
           (invoke git-command "checkout" "FETCH_HEAD")