diff --git a/changelogs/unreleased/sh-fix-issue-api-perf-n-plus-one.yml b/changelogs/unreleased/sh-fix-issue-api-perf-n-plus-one.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..57ba081326f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/unreleased/sh-fix-issue-api-perf-n-plus-one.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+title: Eliminate cached N+1 queries for projects in Issue API
+merge_request:
+author:
+type: performance
diff --git a/lib/api/issues.rb b/lib/api/issues.rb
index 6d75e8817c4..b64f465ce56 100644
--- a/lib/api/issues.rb
+++ b/lib/api/issues.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ module API
         args[:scope] = args[:scope].underscore if args[:scope]
 
         issues = IssuesFinder.new(current_user, args).execute
-          .preload(:assignees, :labels, :notes, :timelogs)
+          .preload(:assignees, :labels, :notes, :timelogs, :project)
 
         issues.reorder(args[:order_by] => args[:sort])
       end