diff --git a/azure-quantum/azure/quantum/target/target.py b/azure-quantum/azure/quantum/target/target.py
index d878d4f4..ce4b5d1b 100644
--- a/azure-quantum/azure/quantum/target/target.py
+++ b/azure-quantum/azure/quantum/target/target.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 import json
 import abc
 import warnings
+import copy
 
 from azure.quantum._client.models import TargetStatus
 from azure.quantum.job.job import Job
@@ -238,7 +239,7 @@ def submit(
         if isinstance(input_params, InputParams):
             input_params = input_params.as_dict()
         else:
-            input_params = input_params or {}
+            input_params = copy.deepcopy(input_params or {})
         input_data_format = None
         output_data_format = None
         content_type = None
diff --git a/azure-quantum/tests/test_target.py b/azure-quantum/tests/test_target.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..736eabc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/azure-quantum/tests/test_target.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+##
+# Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.
+# Licensed under the MIT License.
+##
+
+import copy
+from unittest import mock
+from azure.quantum.target.target import Target
+
+from mock_client import WorkspaceMock
+from common import (
+    SUBSCRIPTION_ID,
+    RESOURCE_GROUP,
+    WORKSPACE,
+)
+
+def test_target_submit_does_not_mutate_input_params():
+    ws = WorkspaceMock(
+        subscription_id=SUBSCRIPTION_ID,
+        resource_group=RESOURCE_GROUP,
+        name=WORKSPACE,
+    )
+    target = Target(
+        workspace=ws,
+        name="fake.target",
+        provider_id="fake-provider",
+        input_data_format="fake-input-format",
+        output_data_format="fake-output-format",
+    )
+    input_params = {
+        "someOption": "someValue",
+        "nested": {
+            "innerOption": "innerValue",
+            "list": [1, 2, 3],
+        },
+    }
+    original = copy.deepcopy(input_params)
+
+    with mock.patch(
+        "azure.quantum.job.base_job.BaseJob.upload_input_data",
+        return_value="https://example.com/blob",
+    ):
+        target.submit(
+            name="test-job",
+            shots=10,
+            input_data=b"fake-ir",
+            input_params=input_params,
+        )
+
+    assert input_params == original
+    assert "shots" not in input_params
+    assert input_params["nested"]["innerOption"] == "innerValue"
+    assert input_params["nested"]["list"] == [1, 2, 3]