diff --git a/taskfile/node_git.go b/taskfile/node_git.go
index 5c960479..53a70231 100644
--- a/taskfile/node_git.go
+++ b/taskfile/node_git.go
@@ -128,19 +128,19 @@ func (node *GitNode) getOrCloneRepo(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	repoMutex.Lock()
 	defer repoMutex.Unlock()
 
-	// Check if context was cancelled while waiting for lock
-	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("context cancelled while waiting for repository lock: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	cacheDir := filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), "task-git-repos", cacheKey)
 
-	// check if repo is already cached (under the lock)
+	// Check cache FIRST - if already cloned, no network needed, timeout irrelevant
 	gitDir := filepath.Join(cacheDir, ".git")
 	if _, err := os.Stat(gitDir); err == nil {
 		return cacheDir, nil
 	}
 
+	// Only check context if we need to clone (requires network)
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("context cancelled while waiting for repository lock: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	getterURL := node.buildURL()
 
 	client := &getter.Client{