diff --git a/build/ninja_gen/src/git.rs b/build/ninja_gen/src/git.rs
index 9c1be9eac..c28571f12 100644
--- a/build/ninja_gen/src/git.rs
+++ b/build/ninja_gen/src/git.rs
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ fn locate_git_head() -> Option<BuildInput> {
                 .filter_map(|p| {
                     let head = p.unwrap().path().join("HEAD");
                     if head.exists() {
-                        Some(head.as_str().replace(':', "$:").to_string())
+                        Some(head.as_str().replace(':', "$:"))
                     } else {
                         None
                     }