diff --git a/refs.c b/refs.c
index 2a21dc3443..a888cea56e 100644
--- a/refs.c
+++ b/refs.c
@@ -1534,7 +1534,7 @@ int write_ref_sha1(struct ref_lock *lock,
 		unlock_ref(lock);
 		return -1;
 	}
-	invalidate_ref_cache(NULL);
+	clear_loose_ref_cache(get_ref_cache(NULL));
 	if (log_ref_write(lock->ref_name, lock->old_sha1, sha1, logmsg) < 0 ||
 	    (strcmp(lock->ref_name, lock->orig_ref_name) &&
 	     log_ref_write(lock->orig_ref_name, lock->old_sha1, sha1, logmsg) < 0)) {