diff --git a/git-gui.sh b/git-gui.sh
index 23fe76e498..f70a54a61b 100755
--- a/git-gui.sh
+++ b/git-gui.sh
@@ -670,6 +670,9 @@ proc load_current_branch {} {
 
 	set current_branch [git branch --show-current]
 	set is_detached [expr [string length $current_branch] == 0]
+	if {$is_detached} {
+		set current_branch {HEAD}
+	}
 }
 
 auto_load tk_optionMenu