diff --git a/core/src/main/java/hudson/scm/CVSSCM.java b/core/src/main/java/hudson/scm/CVSSCM.java
index 76700d11e9..72b2cbacca 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/hudson/scm/CVSSCM.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/hudson/scm/CVSSCM.java
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ public class CVSSCM extends SCM implements Serializable {
                     task.setFailOnError(true);
                     BufferedOutputStream bufferedOutput = new BufferedOutputStream(out);
                     task.setDeststream(bufferedOutput);
-                    task.setBranch(branch);
+                    task.setTag(isTag() ? ":" + branch : branch);
                     task.setStart(startTime);
                     task.setEnd(endTime);
                     if(changedFiles!=null) {