diff --git a/pip/vcs/git.py b/pip/vcs/git.py
index 2187dd846..6e7c1d44c 100644
--- a/pip/vcs/git.py
+++ b/pip/vcs/git.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class Git(VersionControl):
         VERSION_PFX = 'git version '
         version = self.run_command(['version'], show_stdout=False)
         if version.startswith(VERSION_PFX):
-            version = version[len(VERSION_PFX):]
+            version = version[len(VERSION_PFX):].split()[0]
         else:
             version = ''
         # get first 3 positions of the git version becasue