diff --git a/src/vcs.rs b/src/vcs.rs
index f019154..280071d 100644
--- a/src/vcs.rs
+++ b/src/vcs.rs
@@ -326,9 +326,12 @@ impl Vcs {
                 }
             }
 
-            let current_ref = project.repo.current_ref()?;
             // stash changes before moving project off to a new ref
-            let stashed_changes = project.repo.stash_changes(&current_ref)?;
+            let stashed_changes = if let Some(current_ref) = project.current_ref()? {
+                project.repo.stash_changes(&current_ref)?
+            } else {
+                false
+            };
 
             // try to switch to new ref using provided setter
             let new_ref = match setter(project) {
@@ -371,8 +374,9 @@ impl Vcs {
         let mut table = Table::new();
 
         for project in &self.projects {
-            let head_ref_name = project.repo.current_ref()?;
-            table.insert(project.name().into(), Value::String(head_ref_name));
+            if let Some(head_ref_name) = project.current_ref()? {
+                table.insert(project.name().into(), Value::String(head_ref_name));
+            }
         }
 
         Ok(Value::Table(table))