diff --git a/hgext/mq.py b/hgext/mq.py
--- a/hgext/mq.py
+++ b/hgext/mq.py
@@ -1765,6 +1765,9 @@ class queue(object):
 
             diffopts = self.diffopts({'git': git})
             for r in rev:
+                if not repo[r].mutable():
+                    raise util.Abort(_('revision %d is not mutable') % r,
+                                     hint=_('see "hg help phases" for details'))
                 p1, p2 = repo.changelog.parentrevs(r)
                 n = repo.changelog.node(r)
                 if p2 != nullrev:
diff --git a/tests/test-mq-qimport-fail-cleanup.t b/tests/test-mq-qimport-fail-cleanup.t
--- a/tests/test-mq-qimport-fail-cleanup.t
+++ b/tests/test-mq-qimport-fail-cleanup.t
@@ -32,3 +32,9 @@ valid patches before fail added to serie
 
   $ hg qseries
   b.patch
+
+  $ hg pull -q -r 0 . # update phase
+  $ hg qimport -r 0
+  abort: revision 0 is not mutable
+  (see "hg help phases" for details)
+  [255]