diff --git a/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py b/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
--- a/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
+++ b/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
@@ -938,12 +938,12 @@ class GitRemote(RemoteBase):
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def init(self, wire):
         repo_path = safe_str(wire['path'])
-        self.repo = Repo.init(repo_path)
+        pygit2.init_repository(repo_path, bare=False)
 
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def init_bare(self, wire):
         repo_path = safe_str(wire['path'])
-        self.repo = Repo.init_bare(repo_path)
+        pygit2.init_repository(repo_path, bare=True)
 
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def revision(self, wire, rev):