diff --git a/modules/doctor/heads.go b/modules/doctor/heads.go
index 7f3b2a8a02963..33efc27a222ac 100644
--- a/modules/doctor/heads.go
+++ b/modules/doctor/heads.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func synchronizeRepoHeads(ctx context.Context, logger log.Logger, autofix bool)
 		}
 
 		// otherwise, let's try fixing HEAD
-		err := git.NewCommand(ctx, "symbolic-ref").AddDashesAndList("HEAD", repo.DefaultBranch).Run(runOpts)
+		err := git.NewCommand(ctx, "symbolic-ref").AddDashesAndList("HEAD", git.BranchPrefix+repo.DefaultBranch).Run(runOpts)
 		if err != nil {
 			logger.Warn("Failed to fix HEAD for %s/%s: %v", repo.OwnerName, repo.Name, err)
 			return nil