diff --git a/builtin/rebase.c b/builtin/rebase.c
index 418624837c132a..30d58118c66dd9 100644
--- a/builtin/rebase.c
+++ b/builtin/rebase.c
@@ -253,6 +253,8 @@ static int apply_autostash(struct rebase_options *opts)
 
 	if (read_one(path, &autostash))
 		return error(_("Could not read '%s'"), path);
+	/* Ensure that the hash is not mistake for a number */
+	strbuf_addstr(&autostash, "^0");
 	argv_array_pushl(&stash_apply.args,
 			 "stash", "apply", autostash.buf, NULL);
 	stash_apply.git_cmd = 1;