diff --git a/ci_scripts/remote_tests_python.sh b/ci_scripts/remote_tests_python.sh
index 49ab46453..039dc37fe 100755
--- a/ci_scripts/remote_tests_python.sh
+++ b/ci_scripts/remote_tests_python.sh
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ echo "--- Running $CIRCLE_JOB remotely"
 ssh $SSHTARGET <<_HERE
     set +x -e
     cd $BUILDDIR
+    # make sure git checkouts are clean (no dangling revspcs)
+    cargo cache --gc
     # let's share the target dir with our last run on this branch/job-type
     # cargo will make sure to block/unblock us properly 
     export CARGO_TARGET_DIR=\`pwd\`/../target
diff --git a/ci_scripts/remote_tests_rust.sh b/ci_scripts/remote_tests_rust.sh
index d9d9c7080..319cecfe8 100755
--- a/ci_scripts/remote_tests_rust.sh
+++ b/ci_scripts/remote_tests_rust.sh
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ echo "--- Running $CIRCLE_JOB remotely"
 ssh $SSHTARGET <<_HERE
     set +x -e
     cd $BUILDDIR
+    # make sure git checkouts are clean (no dangling revspecs)
+    cargo cache --gc
     # let's share the target dir with our last run on this branch/job-type
     # cargo will make sure to block/unblock us properly 
     export CARGO_TARGET_DIR=\`pwd\`/../target