diff --git a/src/git/src/mcp_server_git/server.py b/src/git/src/mcp_server_git/server.py
index 7ca8c520..9d397c96 100644
--- a/src/git/src/mcp_server_git/server.py
+++ b/src/git/src/mcp_server_git/server.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def git_log(repo: git.Repo, max_count: int = 10) -> list[str]:
 
 def git_create_branch(repo: git.Repo, branch_name: str, base_branch: str | None = None) -> str:
     if base_branch:
-        base = repo.refs[base_branch]
+        base = repo.references[base_branch]
     else:
         base = repo.active_branch