diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -227,7 +227,10 @@ def backout(ui, repo, node=None, rev=Non
             raise util.Abort(_('cannot use --parent on non-merge changeset'))
         parent = p1
 
+    # the backout should appear on the same branch
+    branch = repo.dirstate.branch()
     hg.clean(repo, node, show_stats=False)
+    repo.dirstate.setbranch(branch)
     revert_opts = opts.copy()
     revert_opts['date'] = None
     revert_opts['all'] = True
diff --git a/tests/test-backout.out b/tests/test-backout.out
--- a/tests/test-backout.out
+++ b/tests/test-backout.out
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ marked working directory as branch branc
 adding file2
 removing file1
 created new head
-changeset 3:f1c642b1d8e5 backs out changeset 1:bf1602f437f3
+changeset 3:d4e8f6db59fb backs out changeset 1:bf1602f437f3
 the backout changeset is a new head - do not forget to merge
 (use "backout --merge" if you want to auto-merge)
 % on branch2 with branch1 not merged, so file1 should still exist:
@@ -85,10 +85,11 @@ C file2
 % on branch2 with branch1 merged, so file1 should be gone:
 0 files updated, 0 files merged, 1 files removed, 0 files unresolved
 (branch merge, don't forget to commit)
-21d4dc6f9a41 (branch2) tip
+22149cdde76d (branch2) tip
 C default
 C file2
 % on branch1, so no file1 and file2:
-0 files updated, 0 files merged, 1 files removed, 0 files unresolved
-f1c642b1d8e5 (branch1)
+1 files updated, 0 files merged, 1 files removed, 0 files unresolved
+bf1602f437f3 (branch1)
 C default
+C file1