diff --git a/src/parse_util.cpp b/src/parse_util.cpp
index a0a41f350..870b081e6 100644
--- a/src/parse_util.cpp
+++ b/src/parse_util.cpp
@@ -1124,6 +1124,16 @@ static bool detect_errors_in_decorated_statement(const wcstring &buff_src,
         }
     }
 
+    // $status specifically is invalid as a command,
+    // to avoid people trying `if $status`.
+    // We see this surprisingly regularly.
+    const wcstring &com = dst.command.source(buff_src, storage);
+    if (com == L"$status") {
+        parse_error_offset_source_start(parse_errors, source_start);
+        errored = append_syntax_error(parse_errors, source_start,
+                                      _(L"$status is not valid as a command. See `help conditions`"));
+    }
+
     const wcstring &unexp_command = dst.command.source(buff_src, storage);
     if (!unexp_command.empty()) {
         wcstring command;
diff --git a/tests/checks/vars_as_commands.fish b/tests/checks/vars_as_commands.fish
index 55c8bb178..405472e13 100644
--- a/tests/checks/vars_as_commands.fish
+++ b/tests/checks/vars_as_commands.fish
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#RUN: %fish %s
+#RUN: %fish -C 'set -g fish (builtin realpath %fish)' %s
 # Test that using variables as command names work correctly.
 
 $EMPTY_VARIABLE
@@ -27,4 +27,24 @@ set CMD3 /usr/bin
 $CMD3 && echo $PWD
 #CHECK: /usr/bin
 
+# $status specifically is not valid, to avoid a common error
+# with `if $status`
+echo 'if $status; echo foo; end' | $fish --no-config
+#CHECKERR: fish: $status is not valid as a command. See `help conditions`
+#CHECKERR: if $status; echo foo; end
+#CHECKERR: ^
+echo 'not $status' | $fish --no-config
+#CHECKERR: fish: $status is not valid as a command. See `help conditions`
+#CHECKERR: not $status
+#CHECKERR: ^
+
+# Script doesn't run at all.
+echo 'echo foo; and $status' | $fish --no-config
+#CHECKERR: fish: $status is not valid as a command. See `help conditions`
+#CHECKERR: echo foo; and $status
+#CHECKERR: ^
+
+echo 'set -l status_cmd true; if $status_cmd; echo Heck yes this is true; end' | $fish --no-config
+#CHECK: Heck yes this is true
+
 exit 0