@@ -334,9 +334,15 @@ def rename(self, new_path, force=False):
 			return self
 
 		new_abs_path = os.path.join(self.repo.git_dir, new_path)
+		cur_abs_path = os.path.join(self.repo.git_dir, self.path)
 		if os.path.isfile(new_abs_path):
 			if not force:
-				raise OSError("File at path %r already exists" % new_abs_path)
+				# if they point to the same file, its not an error
+				if open(new_abs_path,'rb').read() != open(cur_abs_path,'rb').read():
+					raise OSError("File at path %r already exists" % new_abs_path)
+				# else: we could remove ourselves and use the otherone, but 
+				# but clarity we just continue as usual
+			# END not force handling
 			os.remove(new_abs_path)
 		# END handle existing target file
 
@@ -345,7 +351,6 @@ def rename(self, new_path, force=False):
 			os.makedirs(dirname)
 		# END create directory
 
-		cur_abs_path = os.path.join(self.repo.git_dir, self.path)
 		os.rename(cur_abs_path, new_abs_path)
 		self.path = new_path
 
 
@@ -267,7 +267,10 @@ def test_head_reset(self, rw_repo):
 		# exists, fail unless we force
 		ex_ref_path = far_away_head.path
 		self.failUnlessRaises(OSError, ref.rename, ex_ref_path)
-		assert ref.rename(ex_ref_path, force=True).path == ex_ref_path and ref.object == orig_obj
+		# if it points to the same commit it works
+		far_away_head.commit = ref.commit
+		ref.rename(ex_ref_path)
+		assert ref.path == ex_ref_path and ref.object == orig_obj
 		assert ref.rename(ref.path).path == ex_ref_path	# rename to same name
 
 		# create symbolic refs