diff --git a/hgext/histedit.py b/hgext/histedit.py
--- a/hgext/histedit.py
+++ b/hgext/histedit.py
@@ -1334,7 +1334,8 @@ def ruleeditor(repo, ui, actions, editco
     rules = '\n'.join([act.torule() for act in actions])
     rules += '\n\n'
     rules += editcomment
-    rules = ui.edit(rules, ui.username(), {'prefix': 'histedit'})
+    rules = ui.edit(rules, ui.username(), {'prefix': 'histedit'},
+                    tmpdir=repo.path)
 
     # Save edit rules in .hg/histedit-last-edit.txt in case
     # the user needs to ask for help after something