diff --git a/readthedocs/vcs_support/backends/git.py b/readthedocs/vcs_support/backends/git.py
index 2230f47f054..895df4fef23 100644
--- a/readthedocs/vcs_support/backends/git.py
+++ b/readthedocs/vcs_support/backends/git.py
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ def tags(self):
         # of annotated tags pointing to tagged commits.
         retcode, stdout, _ = self.run(
             'git', 'for-each-ref',
-            '--format="%(if)%(*objectname)%(then)%(*objectname)'
-            '%(else)%(objectname)%(end) %(refname)"',
+            '--format=%(if)%(*objectname)%(then)%(*objectname)'
+            '%(else)%(objectname)%(end) %(refname)',
             'refs/tags')
         # error (or no tags found)
         if retcode != 0: