diff --git a/pre_commit/repository.py b/pre_commit/repository.py
index 3235d82f..ca81fa0f 100644
--- a/pre_commit/repository.py
+++ b/pre_commit/repository.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Repository(object):
                 # Project already exists, no reason to re-create it
                 return
 
-            local['git']['clone', self.repo_url, self.sha]()
+            local['git']['clone', '--no-checkout', self.repo_url, self.sha]()
             with self.in_checkout():
                 local['git']['checkout', self.sha]()
 
@@ -69,4 +69,4 @@ class Repository(object):
     def run_hook(self, hook_id, file_args):
         with self.in_checkout():
             hook = self.hooks[hook_id]
-            return languages[hook['language']].run_hook(hook, file_args)
\ No newline at end of file
+            return languages[hook['language']].run_hook(hook, file_args)