diff --git a/installer.py b/installer.py
index be8759237..2d5f64cda 100644
--- a/installer.py
+++ b/installer.py
@@ -385,8 +385,6 @@ def git(arg: str, folder: str | None= None, ignore: bool = False, optional: bool
 
 # reattach as needed as head can get detached
 def branch(folder=None):
-    if args.experimental or args.skip_git or args.skip_all:
-        return None
     t_start = time.time()
     if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(folder or os.curdir, '.git')):
         return None
@@ -406,6 +404,9 @@ def branch(folder=None):
     except Exception:
         b = git('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', folder, optional=True)
 
+    if args.experimental or args.skip_git or args.skip_all:
+        return b
+
     if 'main' in b:
         tgt = 'main'
     elif 'master' in b: