Protected refs cannot be added before repo initialize

Summary

Undesired behavior when add protected tags in a newly created project.

Steps to reproduce

1. Create blank project.
2. Go to Settings > Repository > Protected Tags.
3. Create a wildcards protected tags, after you click Protect it doesn't save the wildcards.

What is the current bug behavior?

It doesn't save your protected tags in an empty newly project.

What is the expected correct behavior?

That should save whatever protected tags even if that is empty project.