diff --git a/repository.go b/repository.go
index 0f179b664..213f9f19a 100644
--- a/repository.go
+++ b/repository.go
@@ -1233,14 +1233,25 @@ type Describe struct {
 	Distance int
 	// Dirty string to append
 	Dirty string
+	// Use <Abbrev> digits to display SHA-ls
+	Abbrev int
 }
 
 func (d *Describe) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%v-%v-%v-%v",
-		d.Tag.Name().Short(),
-		d.Distance,
-		d.Reference.Hash().String()[0:8],
-		d.Dirty)
+	var s []string
+
+	if d.Tag != nil{
+		s = append(s, d.Tag.Name().Short())
+	}
+	if d.Distance > 0 {
+		s = append(s, fmt.Sprint(d.Distance))
+	}
+	s = append(s, d.Reference.Hash().String()[0:d.Abbrev])
+	if d.Dirty != "" {
+		s = append(s, d.Dirty)
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(s, "-")
 }
 
 // Describe just like the `git describe` command will return a Describe struct for the hash passed.