diff --git a/refs.c b/refs.c
index d2aec73edc..b8fcb98dad 100644
--- a/refs.c
+++ b/refs.c
@@ -345,6 +345,11 @@ int check_ref_format(const char *ref)
 		if (!ch) {
 			if (level < 2)
 				return -1; /* at least of form "heads/blah" */
+
+			/* do not allow ref name to end in "HEAD" */
+			if (cp - ref > 4 && !strcmp(cp - 4, "HEAD"))
+				return -1;
+
 			return 0;
 		}
 	}