diff --git a/git.py b/git.py
index 7fc91f6be..ca43f16ee 100644
--- a/git.py
+++ b/git.py
@@ -9,6 +9,17 @@ __status__ = "Production"
 import os
 
 
+def gitFormatContent(content) -> str:
+    """ replace html formatting, so that it's more
+    like the original patch file
+    """
+    contentStr = content.replace('<br>', '\n').replace('<br \>', '\n')
+    contentStr = contentStr.replace('<p>', '').replace('</p>', '\n')
+    if 'From ' in contentStr:
+        contentStr = contentStr.split('From ', 1)[1]
+    return contentStr
+
+
 def getGitProjectName(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                       subject: str) -> str:
     """Returns the project name for a git patch
@@ -76,10 +87,7 @@ def receiveGitPatch(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                       subject, content):
         return False
 
-    # replace html formatting, so that it's more
-    # like the original patch file
-    contentStr = content.replace('<br>', '\n').replace('<br />', '\n')
-    contentStr = contentStr.replace('<p>', '').replace('</p>', '\n')
+    contentStr = gitFormatContent(content)
 
     patchLines = contentStr.split('\n')
     patchFilename = None
diff --git a/inbox.py b/inbox.py
index 204aeb1b3..d783d812e 100644
--- a/inbox.py
+++ b/inbox.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ from question import questionUpdateVotes
 from media import replaceYouTube
 from git import isGitPatch
 from git import receiveGitPatch
-
+from git import gitFormatContent
 
 def storeHashTags(baseDir: str, nickname: str, postJsonObject: {}) -> None:
     """Extracts hashtags from an incoming post and updates the
@@ -1708,12 +1708,9 @@ def gitPatchNotify(baseDir: str, handle: str,
     patchFile = accountDir + '/.newPatch'
     with open(patchFile, 'w') as fp:
         fp.write(subject)
-    contentStr = content.replace('<br>', '\n').replace('<br \>', '\n')
-    contentStr = contentStr.replace('<p>', '').replace('</p>', '\n')
-    if 'From ' in contentStr:
-        contentStr = contentStr.split('From ', 1)[1]
+    
     with open(patchFile + 'Content', 'w') as fp:
-        fp.write(contentStr)
+        fp.write(gitFormatContent(content))
 
 
 def groupHandle(baseDir: str, handle: str) -> bool: