diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/git.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/git.py
index ecc5e0ded8..07d722a156 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/git.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/git.py
@@ -188,7 +188,9 @@ class Git(FetchMethod):
 
         # If the repo still doesn't exist, fallback to cloning it
         if not os.path.exists(ud.clonedir):
-            clone_cmd = "%s clone --bare --mirror %s %s" % (ud.basecmd, repourl, ud.clonedir)
+            if repourl.startswith("file://"):
+                repourl = repourl[7:]
+            clone_cmd = "%s clone -l --bare --mirror %s %s" % (ud.basecmd, repourl, ud.clonedir)
             if ud.proto.lower() != 'file':
                 bb.fetch2.check_network_access(d, clone_cmd)
             runfetchcmd(clone_cmd, d)