diff --git a/test/get_previous_releases.py b/test/get_previous_releases.py
index cfd6978c3e0..cb1597503c6 100755
--- a/test/get_previous_releases.py
+++ b/test/get_previous_releases.py
@@ -207,14 +207,11 @@ def build_release(tag, args) -> int:
             print('Tag {} not found'.format(tag))
             return 1
     ret = subprocess.run([
-        'git', 'clone', githubUrl, tag
+        'git', 'clone', f'--branch={tag}', '--depth=1', githubUrl, tag
     ]).returncode
     if ret:
         return ret
     with pushd(tag):
-        ret = subprocess.run(['git', 'checkout', tag]).returncode
-        if ret:
-            return ret
         host = args.host
         if args.depends:
             with pushd('depends'):