diff --git a/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml b/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
index f5898f082..d58b835e5 100644
--- a/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   vars:
     deploy_dir: '{{ tobiko_src_dir | realpath }}'
     deploy_git_repo: '{{ tobiko_git_repo }}'
-    deploy_git_version: "{{ tobiko_git_version | default('') }}"
+    deploy_git_version: "{{ tobiko_git_version | default('HEAD') }}"
     deploy_git_refspec: "{{ tobiko_git_refspec | default('') }}"
     deploy_git_remote: '{{ tobiko_git_remote | default(omit) }}'
   when: create_tobiko_dir is changed