diff --git a/aider/main.py b/aider/main.py
index 00489504c..dab1ea1e7 100644
--- a/aider/main.py
+++ b/aider/main.py
@@ -70,12 +70,14 @@ def setup_git(git_root, io):
     return repo.working_tree_dir
 
 
-import git
-
 def check_gitignore(git_root, io, ask=True):
     if not git_root:
         return
 
+    repo = git.Repo(git_root)
+    if repo.ignored(".aider"):
+        return
+
     pat = ".aider*"
 
     gitignore_file = Path(git_root) / ".gitignore"
@@ -86,10 +88,6 @@ def check_gitignore(git_root, io, ask=True):
     else:
         content = ""
 
-    repo = git.Repo(git_root)
-    if repo.is_ignored(pat):
-        return
-
     if ask and not io.confirm_ask(f"Add {pat} to .gitignore (recommended)?"):
         return