diff --git a/build-aux/git-hooks/post-commit b/build-aux/git-hooks/post-commit
index 68d9995d915..05f2d778b5c 100755
--- a/build-aux/git-hooks/post-commit
+++ b/build-aux/git-hooks/post-commit
@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ else
 fi
 
 git rev-parse HEAD | $awk -v reason=post-commit \
-                          -f .git/hooks/commit-msg-files.awk
+                          -f ${GIT_DIR:-.git}/hooks/commit-msg-files.awk
diff --git a/build-aux/git-hooks/pre-push b/build-aux/git-hooks/pre-push
index 8e8277cba4f..6ff59102fd7 100755
--- a/build-aux/git-hooks/pre-push
+++ b/build-aux/git-hooks/pre-push
@@ -83,4 +83,4 @@ $awk -v origin_name="$1" '
     # Print every SHA after oldref, up to (and including) newref.
     system("git rev-list --first-parent --reverse " oldref ".." newref)
   }
-' | $awk -v reason=pre-push -f .git/hooks/commit-msg-files.awk
+' | $awk -v reason=pre-push -f ${GIT_DIR:-.git}/hooks/commit-msg-files.awk