diff --git a/app/repo-new.go b/app/repo-new.go
index fbd105f..da956ba 100644
--- a/app/repo-new.go
+++ b/app/repo-new.go
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ func (a *App) NewRepo(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 
 		gitRepo, err := a.DB.NewRepo(user, &repo)
-		gitRepo.Close() // mandatory!!
 
 		if err != nil {
 			switch err {
@@ -59,6 +58,8 @@ func (a *App) NewRepo(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			return
 		}
 
+		gitRepo.Close() // mandatory!!
+
 		http.Redirect(w, r, fmt.Sprintf("/~%s/%s", user.Handle, repo.Name), http.StatusFound)
 	}
 }