diff --git a/transport.c b/transport.c
index 384ff9acf1..886ffd8b1e 100644
--- a/transport.c
+++ b/transport.c
@@ -752,7 +752,7 @@ void transport_print_push_status(const char *dest, struct ref *refs,
 		    ref->status != REF_STATUS_OK)
 			n += print_one_push_status(ref, dest, n, porcelain);
 		if (ref->status == REF_STATUS_REJECT_NONFASTFORWARD) {
-			if (!strcmp(head, ref->name))
+			if (head != NULL && !strcmp(head, ref->name))
 				*reject_reasons |= REJECT_NON_FF_HEAD;
 			else
 				*reject_reasons |= REJECT_NON_FF_OTHER;