diff --git a/src/server/index.js b/src/server/index.js
index 6b7be5a0ee42..17a21fe5f95b 100755
--- a/src/server/index.js
+++ b/src/server/index.js
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ const configDir = program.configDir || './.storybook';
 
 // The repository info is sent to the storybook while running on
 // development mode so it'll be easier for tools to integrate.
-const exec = cmd => shelljs.exec(cmd).stdout.trim();
-process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_ORIGIN = exec('git remote get-url origin');
-process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_BRANCH = exec('git symbolic-ref HEAD --short');
+const exec = cmd => shelljs.exec(cmd, { silent: true }).stdout.trim();
+process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_ORIGIN = process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_ORIGIN || exec('git remote get-url origin');
+process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_BRANCH = process.env.STORYBOOK_GIT_BRANCH || exec('git symbolic-ref HEAD --short');
 
 // NOTE changes to env should be done before calling `getBaseConfig`
 // `getBaseConfig` function which is called inside the middleware