diff --git a/gitosis/repository.py b/gitosis/repository.py
index 07e657d..18a789c 100644
--- a/gitosis/repository.py
+++ b/gitosis/repository.py
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ def fast_import(
     """
     Create an initial commit.
     """
-    init(path=git_dir)
     child = subprocess.Popen(
         args=[
             'git',
diff --git a/gitosis/test/test_repository.py b/gitosis/test/test_repository.py
index 4890c47..b7338e5 100644
--- a/gitosis/test/test_repository.py
+++ b/gitosis/test/test_repository.py
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ exec git "$@"
 def test_fast_import_environment():
     tmp = maketemp()
     path = os.path.join(tmp, 'repo.git')
+    repository.init(path=path)
     mockbindir = os.path.join(tmp, 'mockbin')
     os.mkdir(mockbindir)
     mockgit = os.path.join(mockbindir, 'git')