+#include "builtin.h"
 #include "cache.h"
 #include "refs.h"
 #include "object.h"
        }
 
        if (verify) {
-               unsigned char sha1[20];
-
+               if (!pattern)
+                       die("--verify requires a reference");
                while (*pattern) {
+                       unsigned char sha1[20];
+
                        if (!prefixcmp(*pattern, "refs/") &&
                            resolve_ref(*pattern, sha1, 1, NULL)) {
                                if (!quiet)