diff --git a/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/UploadArchive.java b/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/UploadArchive.java
index 379ee4bae7..c3dae3ae84 100644
--- a/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/UploadArchive.java
+++ b/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/UploadArchive.java
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ public class UploadArchive extends AbstractGitCommand {
 
       // Find out the object to get from the specified reference and paths
       ObjectId treeId = repo.resolve(options.treeIsh);
-      if (treeId.equals(ObjectId.zeroId())) {
+      if (treeId == null) {
         throw new Failure(4, "fatal: reference not found");
       }