diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -5328,7 +5328,7 @@ def resolve(ui, repo, *pats, **opts):
 
         ms.commit()
 
-        if not didwork and pats:
+        if not didwork and pats and not show:
             ui.warn(_("arguments do not match paths that need resolving\n"))
 
     finally:
diff --git a/tests/test-resolve.t b/tests/test-resolve.t
--- a/tests/test-resolve.t
+++ b/tests/test-resolve.t
@@ -43,10 +43,11 @@ resolve -l should contain unresolved ent
   U file1
   U file2
 
-resolving an unknown path should emit a warning
+resolving an unknown path should emit a warning, but not for -l
 
   $ hg resolve -m does-not-exist
   arguments do not match paths that need resolving
+  $ hg resolve -l does-not-exist
 
 resolve the failure