diff --git a/builtin/send-pack.c b/builtin/send-pack.c
index faaa603843..961df04dea 100644
--- a/builtin/send-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/send-pack.c
@@ -208,6 +208,9 @@ int cmd_send_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	    (send_all && args.send_mirror))
 		usage(send_pack_usage);
 
+	if (is_repository_shallow())
+		die("attempt to push from a shallow repository");
+
 	if (remote_name) {
 		remote = remote_get(remote_name);
 		if (!remote_has_url(remote, dest)) {