diff --git a/tools/check-abi.sh b/tools/check-abi.sh
index 8f6119cd8e..c7b9c2d834 100755
--- a/tools/check-abi.sh
+++ b/tools/check-abi.sh
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 set -eu
 
 default_base_version="$(git describe --match "v*.*.*" --abbrev=0)"
-default_new_version="master"
+default_new_version="HEAD"
 
 display_help_and_exit() {
     echo "Usage: $0 <base_ver> <new_ver>"