diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index 6569d635d..5dddafb8f 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -76,14 +76,6 @@ var recipeReleaseCommand = &cli.Command{
 		}
 
 		if tagstring != "" {
-			repo, err := git.PlainOpen(directory)
-			if err != nil {
-				logrus.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			head, err := repo.Head()
-			if err != nil {
-				logrus.Fatal(err)
-			}
 			if Dry {
 				logrus.Info(fmt.Sprintf("Dry run only. NOT creating tag %s at %s", tagstring, head.Hash()))
 				return nil