diff --git a/app/controllers/projects/merge_requests_controller.rb b/app/controllers/projects/merge_requests_controller.rb
index a2225cc8343..f47df8b623b 100644
--- a/app/controllers/projects/merge_requests_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/projects/merge_requests_controller.rb
@@ -325,16 +325,16 @@ class Projects::MergeRequestsController < Projects::ApplicationController
     @merge_request.update(merge_error: nil)
 
     if params[:merge_when_build_succeeds].present?
-      unless @merge_request.pipeline
+      unless @merge_request.head_pipeline
         @status = :failed
         return
       end
 
-      if @merge_request.pipeline.active?
+      if @merge_request.head_pipeline.active?
         MergeRequests::MergeWhenBuildSucceedsService.new(@project, current_user, merge_params)
                                                         .execute(@merge_request)
         @status = :merge_when_build_succeeds
-      elsif @merge_request.pipeline.success?
+      elsif @merge_request.head_pipeline.success?
         # This can be triggered when a user clicks the auto merge button while
         # the tests finish at about the same time
         MergeWorker.perform_async(@merge_request.id, current_user.id, params)
@@ -398,7 +398,8 @@ class Projects::MergeRequestsController < Projects::ApplicationController
   end
 
   def ci_status
-    pipeline = @merge_request.pipeline
+    pipeline = @merge_request.head_pipeline
+
     if pipeline
       status = pipeline.status
       coverage = pipeline.try(:coverage)
@@ -534,7 +535,7 @@ class Projects::MergeRequestsController < Projects::ApplicationController
   end
 
   def define_widget_vars
-    @pipeline = @merge_request.pipeline
+    @pipeline = @merge_request.head_pipeline
   end
 
   def define_commit_vars
@@ -563,7 +564,7 @@ class Projects::MergeRequestsController < Projects::ApplicationController
 
   def define_pipelines_vars
     @pipelines = @merge_request.all_pipelines
-    @pipeline = @merge_request.pipeline
+    @pipeline = @merge_request.head_pipeline
     @statuses_count = @pipeline.present? ? @pipeline.statuses.relevant.count : 0
   end
 
@@ -631,7 +632,7 @@ class Projects::MergeRequestsController < Projects::ApplicationController
 
   def merge_when_build_succeeds_active?
     params[:merge_when_build_succeeds].present? &&
-      @merge_request.pipeline && @merge_request.pipeline.active?
+      @merge_request.head_pipeline && @merge_request.head_pipeline.active?
   end
 
   def build_merge_request
diff --git a/app/models/ci/pipeline.rb b/app/models/ci/pipeline.rb
index 4294a10e9e3..fabbf97d4db 100644
--- a/app/models/ci/pipeline.rb
+++ b/app/models/ci/pipeline.rb
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ module Ci
     def merge_requests
       @merge_requests ||= project.merge_requests
         .where(source_branch: self.ref)
-        .select { |merge_request| merge_request.pipeline.try(:id) == self.id }
+        .select { |merge_request| merge_request.head_pipeline.try(:id) == self.id }
     end
 
     private
diff --git a/app/models/merge_request.rb b/app/models/merge_request.rb
index 38d8c15e6b0..64990f8134e 100644
--- a/app/models/merge_request.rb
+++ b/app/models/merge_request.rb
@@ -678,7 +678,7 @@ class MergeRequest < ActiveRecord::Base
   def mergeable_ci_state?
     return true unless project.only_allow_merge_if_build_succeeds?
 
-    !pipeline || pipeline.success? || pipeline.skipped?
+    !head_pipeline || head_pipeline.success? || head_pipeline.skipped?
   end
 
   def environments
@@ -774,10 +774,10 @@ class MergeRequest < ActiveRecord::Base
     commits.map(&:sha)
   end
 
-  def pipeline
+  def head_pipeline
     return unless diff_head_sha && source_project
 
-    @pipeline ||= source_project.pipeline_for(source_branch, diff_head_sha)
+    @head_pipeline ||= source_project.pipeline_for(source_branch, diff_head_sha)
   end
 
   def all_pipelines
diff --git a/app/services/merge_requests/base_service.rb b/app/services/merge_requests/base_service.rb
index 58f69a41e14..800fd39c424 100644
--- a/app/services/merge_requests/base_service.rb
+++ b/app/services/merge_requests/base_service.rb
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ module MergeRequests
 
     def pipeline_merge_requests(pipeline)
       merge_requests_for(pipeline.ref).each do |merge_request|
-        next unless pipeline == merge_request.pipeline
+        next unless pipeline == merge_request.head_pipeline
 
         yield merge_request
       end
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ module MergeRequests
 
     def commit_status_merge_requests(commit_status)
       merge_requests_for(commit_status.ref).each do |merge_request|
-        pipeline = merge_request.pipeline
+        pipeline = merge_request.head_pipeline
 
         next unless pipeline
         next unless pipeline.sha == commit_status.sha
diff --git a/app/views/projects/issues/_merge_requests.html.haml b/app/views/projects/issues/_merge_requests.html.haml
index 747bfa554cb..d48923b422a 100644
--- a/app/views/projects/issues/_merge_requests.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/projects/issues/_merge_requests.html.haml
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
   %h2.merge-requests-title
     = pluralize(@merge_requests.count, 'Related Merge Request')
   %ul.unstyled-list.related-merge-requests
-    - has_any_ci = @merge_requests.any?(&:pipeline)
+    - has_any_ci = @merge_requests.any?(&:head_pipeline)
     - @merge_requests.each do |merge_request|
       %li
         %span.merge-request-ci-status
-          - if merge_request.pipeline
-            = render_pipeline_status(merge_request.pipeline)
+          - if merge_request.head_pipeline
+            = render_pipeline_status(merge_request.head_pipeline)
           - elsif has_any_ci
             = icon('blank fw')
         %span.merge-request-id
diff --git a/app/views/projects/merge_requests/_merge_request.html.haml b/app/views/projects/merge_requests/_merge_request.html.haml
index 9ffcc48eb80..fa189ae62d8 100644
--- a/app/views/projects/merge_requests/_merge_request.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/projects/merge_requests/_merge_request.html.haml
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@
           = icon('ban')
           CLOSED
 
-      - if merge_request.pipeline
+      - if merge_request.head_pipeline
         %li
-          = render_pipeline_status(merge_request.pipeline)
+          = render_pipeline_status(merge_request.head_pipeline)
 
       - if merge_request.open? && merge_request.broken?
         %li
diff --git a/app/views/projects/merge_requests/widget/_show.html.haml b/app/views/projects/merge_requests/widget/_show.html.haml
index 608fdf1c5f5..a8918c85dde 100644
--- a/app/views/projects/merge_requests/widget/_show.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/projects/merge_requests/widget/_show.html.haml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
     ci_status_url: "#{ci_status_namespace_project_merge_request_path(@project.namespace, @project, @merge_request)}",
     ci_environments_status_url: "#{ci_environments_status_namespace_project_merge_request_path(@project.namespace, @project, @merge_request)}",
     gitlab_icon: "#{asset_path 'gitlab_logo.png'}",
-    ci_status: "#{@merge_request.pipeline ? @merge_request.pipeline.status : ''}",
+    ci_status: "#{@merge_request.head_pipeline ? @merge_request.head_pipeline.status : ''}",
     ci_message: {
       normal: "Build {{status}} for \"{{title}}\"",
       preparing: "{{status}} build for \"{{title}}\""
diff --git a/lib/api/merge_requests.rb b/lib/api/merge_requests.rb
index 90fa588b455..97baebc1d27 100644
--- a/lib/api/merge_requests.rb
+++ b/lib/api/merge_requests.rb
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ module API
             should_remove_source_branch: params[:should_remove_source_branch]
           }
 
-          if params[:merge_when_build_succeeds] && merge_request.pipeline && merge_request.pipeline.active?
+          if params[:merge_when_build_succeeds] && merge_request.head_pipeline && merge_request.head_pipeline.active?
             ::MergeRequests::MergeWhenBuildSucceedsService.new(merge_request.target_project, current_user, merge_params).
               execute(merge_request)
           else
diff --git a/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb b/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
index 58ccd056328..26034cb1c7b 100644
--- a/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
     end
   end
 
-  describe '#pipeline' do
+  describe '#head_pipeline' do
     describe 'when the source project exists' do
       it 'returns the latest pipeline' do
         pipeline = double(:ci_pipeline, ref: 'master')
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
           with('master', '123abc').
           and_return(pipeline)
 
-        expect(subject.pipeline).to eq(pipeline)
+        expect(subject.head_pipeline).to eq(pipeline)
       end
     end
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       it 'returns nil' do
         allow(subject).to receive(:source_project).and_return(nil)
 
-        expect(subject.pipeline).to be_nil
+        expect(subject.head_pipeline).to be_nil
       end
     end
   end
@@ -857,7 +857,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       context 'and a failed pipeline is associated' do
         before do
           pipeline.update(status: 'failed')
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { pipeline }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { pipeline }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_falsey }
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       context 'and a successful pipeline is associated' do
         before do
           pipeline.update(status: 'success')
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { pipeline }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { pipeline }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_truthy }
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       context 'and a skipped pipeline is associated' do
         before do
           pipeline.update(status: 'skipped')
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { pipeline }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { pipeline }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_truthy }
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
 
       context 'when no pipeline is associated' do
         before do
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { nil }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { nil }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_truthy }
@@ -896,7 +896,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       context 'and a failed pipeline is associated' do
         before do
           pipeline.statuses << create(:commit_status, status: 'failed', project: project)
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { pipeline }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { pipeline }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_truthy }
@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
 
       context 'when no pipeline is associated' do
         before do
-          allow(subject).to receive(:pipeline) { nil }
+          allow(subject).to receive(:head_pipeline) { nil }
         end
 
         it { expect(subject.mergeable_ci_state?).to be_truthy }
diff --git a/spec/requests/api/merge_requests_spec.rb b/spec/requests/api/merge_requests_spec.rb
index 3ecf3eea5f5..edc985b765b 100644
--- a/spec/requests/api/merge_requests_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/api/merge_requests_spec.rb
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ describe API::API, api: true  do
     end
 
     it "enables merge when build succeeds if the ci is active" do
-      allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest).to receive(:pipeline).and_return(pipeline)
+      allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest).to receive(:head_pipeline).and_return(pipeline)
       allow(pipeline).to receive(:active?).and_return(true)
 
       put api("/projects/#{project.id}/merge_requests/#{merge_request.id}/merge", user), merge_when_build_succeeds: true
diff --git a/spec/services/merge_requests/add_todo_when_build_fails_service_spec.rb b/spec/services/merge_requests/add_todo_when_build_fails_service_spec.rb
index a44312dd363..bb7830c7eea 100644
--- a/spec/services/merge_requests/add_todo_when_build_fails_service_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/merge_requests/add_todo_when_build_fails_service_spec.rb
@@ -20,13 +20,19 @@ describe MergeRequests::AddTodoWhenBuildFailsService do
   let(:todo_service) { TodoService.new }
 
   let(:merge_request) do
-    create(:merge_request, merge_user: user, source_branch: 'master',
-                           target_branch: 'feature', source_project: project, target_project: project,
+    create(:merge_request, merge_user: user,
+                           source_branch: 'master',
+                           target_branch: 'feature',
+                           source_project: project,
+                           target_project: project,
                            state: 'opened')
   end
 
   before do
-    allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest).to receive(:pipeline).and_return(pipeline)
+    allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest)
+      .to receive(:head_pipeline)
+      .and_return(pipeline)
+
     allow(service).to receive(:todo_service).and_return(todo_service)
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/services/merge_requests/merge_when_build_succeeds_service_spec.rb b/spec/services/merge_requests/merge_when_build_succeeds_service_spec.rb
index c0164138713..963d9573ac4 100644
--- a/spec/services/merge_requests/merge_when_build_succeeds_service_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/merge_requests/merge_when_build_succeeds_service_spec.rb
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@ describe MergeRequests::MergeWhenBuildSucceedsService do
 
     context 'first time enabling' do
       before do
-        allow(merge_request).to receive(:pipeline).and_return(pipeline)
+        allow(merge_request)
+          .to receive(:head_pipeline)
+          .and_return(pipeline)
+
         service.execute(merge_request)
       end
 
@@ -43,8 +46,12 @@ describe MergeRequests::MergeWhenBuildSucceedsService do
       let(:build)   { create(:ci_build, ref: mr_merge_if_green_enabled.source_branch) }
 
       before do
-        allow(mr_merge_if_green_enabled).to receive(:pipeline).and_return(pipeline)
-        allow(mr_merge_if_green_enabled).to receive(:mergeable?).and_return(true)
+        allow(mr_merge_if_green_enabled).to receive(:head_pipeline)
+          .and_return(pipeline)
+
+        allow(mr_merge_if_green_enabled).to receive(:mergeable?)
+          .and_return(true)
+
         allow(pipeline).to receive(:success?).and_return(true)
       end
 
@@ -138,9 +145,12 @@ describe MergeRequests::MergeWhenBuildSucceedsService do
 
       before do
         # This behavior of MergeRequest: we instantiate a new object
-        allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest).to receive(:pipeline).and_wrap_original do
-          Ci::Pipeline.find(pipeline.id)
-        end
+        #
+        allow_any_instance_of(MergeRequest)
+          .to receive(:head_pipeline)
+          .and_wrap_original do
+            Ci::Pipeline.find(pipeline.id)
+          end
       end
 
       it "doesn't merge if any of stages failed" do