diff --git a/alibuild_helpers/git.py b/alibuild_helpers/git.py
index af7672c0..6ed86db9 100644
--- a/alibuild_helpers/git.py
+++ b/alibuild_helpers/git.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ def git(args, directory=".", check=True, prompt=True):
     args=" ".join(map(quote, args)),
     # GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT is only supported in git 2.3+.
     prompt_var="GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT=0" if not prompt else "",
-    directory_safe_var="GIT_CONFIG_COUNT=1 GIT_CONFIG_KEY_0=safe.directory GIT_CONFIG_VALUE_0={}".format(directory) if directory else "",
+    directory_safe_var="GIT_CONFIG_COUNT=1 GIT_CONFIG_KEY_0=safe.directory GIT_CONFIG_VALUE_0=$PWD" if directory else "",
   ), timeout=GIT_COMMAND_TIMEOUT_SEC)
   if check and err != 0:
     raise SCMError("Error {} from git {}: {}".format(err, " ".join(args), output))