diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplegit.py b/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplegit.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplegit.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplegit.py
@@ -115,6 +115,10 @@ class SimpleGit(BaseVCSController):
         except:
             return HTTPInternalServerError()(environ, start_response)
 
+        # quick check if that dir exists...
+        if is_valid_repo(repo_name, self.basepath) is False:
+            return HTTPNotFound()(environ, start_response)
+
         #======================================================================
         # GET ACTION PULL or PUSH
         #======================================================================
@@ -181,10 +185,6 @@ class SimpleGit(BaseVCSController):
         repo_path = os.path.join(safe_str(self.basepath), safe_str(repo_name))
         log.debug('Repository path is %s' % repo_path)
 
-        # quick check if that dir exists...
-        if is_valid_repo(repo_name, self.basepath) is False:
-            return HTTPNotFound()(environ, start_response)
-
         try:
             #invalidate cache on push
             if action == 'push':