diff --git a/hgext/rebase.py b/hgext/rebase.py
--- a/hgext/rebase.py
+++ b/hgext/rebase.py
@@ -1316,6 +1316,10 @@ def pullrebase(orig, ui, repo, *args, **
                 ui.debug('--update and --rebase are not compatible, ignoring '
                          'the update flag\n')
 
+            ui.debug('before rebase: ensure working dir is clean\n')
+            cmdutil.checkunfinished(repo)
+            cmdutil.bailifchanged(repo)
+
             revsprepull = len(repo)
             origpostincoming = commands.postincoming
             def _dummy(*args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/tests/test-rebase-pull.t b/tests/test-rebase-pull.t
--- a/tests/test-rebase-pull.t
+++ b/tests/test-rebase-pull.t
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
   $ cat >> $HGRCPATH <<EOF
   > [extensions]
   > rebase=
+  > histedit=
   > 
   > [alias]
   > tglog = log -G --template "{rev}: '{desc}' {branches}\n"
@@ -72,6 +73,27 @@ Re-run:
   searching for changes
   no changes found
 
+Abort pull early if working dir is not clean:
+
+  $ echo L1-mod > L1
+  $ hg pull --rebase
+  abort: uncommitted changes
+  [255]
+  $ hg update --clean --quiet
+
+Abort pull early if another operation (histedit) is in progress:
+
+  $ hg histedit . -q --commands - << EOF
+  > edit d80cc2da061e histedit: generate unfinished state
+  > EOF
+  Editing (d80cc2da061e), you may commit or record as needed now.
+  (hg histedit --continue to resume)
+  [1]
+  $ hg pull --rebase
+  abort: histedit in progress
+  (use 'hg histedit --continue' or 'hg histedit --abort')
+  [255]
+  $ hg histedit --abort --quiet
 
 Invoke pull --rebase and nothing to rebase: