diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 2ce70d205d..afed47f68d 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1903,8 +1903,9 @@ version.sp version.s version.o: GIT-VERSION-FILE GIT-USER-AGENT
 version.sp version.s version.o: EXTRA_CPPFLAGS = \
 	'-DGIT_VERSION="$(GIT_VERSION)"' \
 	'-DGIT_USER_AGENT=$(GIT_USER_AGENT_CQ_SQ)' \
-	'-DGIT_BUILT_FROM_COMMIT="$(shell GIT_CEILING_DIRECTORIES=\"$(CURDIR)/..\" \
-		git rev-parse -q --verify HEAD || :)"'
+	'-DGIT_BUILT_FROM_COMMIT="$(shell \
+		GIT_CEILING_DIRECTORIES="$(CURDIR)/.." \
+		git rev-parse -q --verify HEAD 2>/dev/null)"'
 
 $(BUILT_INS): git$X
 	$(QUIET_BUILT_IN)$(RM) $@ && \