diff --git a/refs.c b/refs.c
index 09452b5e41..8d5a76fbf2 100644
--- a/refs.c
+++ b/refs.c
@@ -309,7 +309,9 @@ int read_ref(const char *refname, struct object_id *oid)
 
 int refs_ref_exists(struct ref_store *refs, const char *refname)
 {
-	return !!refs_resolve_ref_unsafe(refs, refname, RESOLVE_REF_READING, NULL, NULL);
+	int ignore_errno;
+	return !!refs_werrres_ref_unsafe(refs, refname, RESOLVE_REF_READING,
+					 NULL, NULL, &ignore_errno);
 }
 
 int ref_exists(const char *refname)