diff --git a/aider/coders/base_coder.py b/aider/coders/base_coder.py
index 2ad26a741..541aeff57 100755
--- a/aider/coders/base_coder.py
+++ b/aider/coders/base_coder.py
@@ -670,11 +670,7 @@ class Coder:
         self.test_outcome = None
         self.edit_outcome = None
         if self.repo:
-            try:
-                self.commit_before_message = self.repo.repo.head.commit.hexsha
-            except ValueError:
-                # This occurs when the repository is brand new and has no commits
-                self.commit_before_message = None
+            self.commit_before_message = self.repo.get_head()
         else:
             self.commit_before_message = None