diff --git a/redbot/pytest/downloader.py b/redbot/pytest/downloader.py
index 467047d57..c66ab5f9b 100644
--- a/redbot/pytest/downloader.py
+++ b/redbot/pytest/downloader.py
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ def _init_test_repo(destination: Path):
     git_dirparams = ("git", "-C", str(destination))
     init_commands = (
         (*git_dirparams, "init"),
+        (*git_dirparams, "checkout", "-b", "master"),
         (*git_dirparams, "config", "--local", "user.name", "Cog-Creators"),
         (*git_dirparams, "config", "--local", "user.email", "cog-creators@example.org"),
         (*git_dirparams, "config", "--local", "commit.gpgSign", "false"),