remote to push to local branch: hung up unexpectedly

I have this in .config:

[remote "anthony"]
        url = .
        push = +refs/heads/pci:refs/heads/for_anthony

The point is to save state when it's stable and safe for outside use.

I hoped to make this shortcut for:
git push  . +refs/heads/pci:refs/heads/for_anthony

But this does:

Total 0 (delta 0), reused 0 (delta 0)
To .
 * [new branch]      pci -> for_anthony
fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly

So the command works but seems to give an error at the end.
Same effect with url = file://.
with url = /scm/qemu   (this is repo path)
and with url = file:///scm/qemu

reproduced with 1.6.6.144 and with 1.6.2.5

-- 
MST