diff --git a/git-clone.sh b/git-clone.sh
index 0ea3c24f59..036a37e85c 100755
--- a/git-clone.sh
+++ b/git-clone.sh
@@ -35,11 +35,12 @@ fi
 
 http_fetch () {
 	# $1 = Remote, $2 = Local
-	curl -nsfL $curl_extra_args "$1" >"$2" ||
-		case $? in
-		126|127) exit ;;
-		*)	 return $? ;;
-		esac
+	curl -nsfL $curl_extra_args "$1" >"$2"
+	curl_exit_status=$?
+	case $curl_exit_status in
+	126|127) exit ;;
+	*)	 return $curl_exit_status ;;
+	esac
 }
 
 clone_dumb_http () {