“Git fatal: ref HEAD is not a symbolic ref” while using maven release plugin

Question

I get the following error output while running the Maven release plugin prepare step i.e. mvn release:prepare --batch-mode -DreleaseVersion=1.1.2 -DdevelopmentVersion=

Answer 1

I ran into the same error on Jenkins in combination with maven release plugin, we fixed it by going to Additional behaviours, Check out to specific local branch and enter 'master'

I realise this is not a solution but it might give you some direction in where to look.