diff --git a/pandas/core/frame.py b/pandas/core/frame.py
index 565c153603b86..0e74ed0ff1769 100644
--- a/pandas/core/frame.py
+++ b/pandas/core/frame.py
@@ -988,15 +988,13 @@ def __repr__(self) -> str:
         """
         Return a string representation for a particular DataFrame.
         """
-        buf = StringIO("")
         if self._info_repr():
+            buf = StringIO("")
             self.info(buf=buf)
             return buf.getvalue()
 
         repr_params = fmt.get_dataframe_repr_params()
-        self.to_string(buf=buf, **repr_params)
-
-        return buf.getvalue()
+        return self.to_string(**repr_params)
 
     def _repr_html_(self) -> str | None:
         """