diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index 24f77442f1a..8b5d95649bb 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ v 8.13.0 (unreleased)
   - Fix Long commit messages overflow viewport in file tree
   - Revert avoid touching file system on Build#artifacts?
   - Stop using a Redis lease when updating the project activity timestamp whenever a new event is created
+  - Add disabled delete button to protected branches (ClemMakesApps)
   - Add broadcast messages and alerts below sub-nav
   - Better empty state for Groups view
   - Update ruby-prof to 0.16.2. !6026 (Elan Ruusamäe)
diff --git a/app/views/projects/branches/_branch.html.haml b/app/views/projects/branches/_branch.html.haml
index 5217b8bf028..4480b2f22c3 100644
--- a/app/views/projects/branches/_branch.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/projects/branches/_branch.html.haml
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@
 
       = render 'projects/buttons/download', project: @project, ref: branch.name
 
-      - if can_remove_branch?(@project, branch.name)
-        = link_to namespace_project_branch_path(@project.namespace, @project, branch.name), class: 'btn btn-remove remove-row has-tooltip', title: "Delete branch", method: :delete, data: { confirm: "Deleting the '#{branch.name}' branch cannot be undone. Are you sure?", container: 'body' }, remote: true do
+      - if can?(current_user, :push_code, @project)
+        = link_to namespace_project_branch_path(@project.namespace, @project, branch.name), class: "btn btn-remove remove-row has-tooltip #{can_remove_branch?(@project, branch.name) ? '' : 'disabled'}", title: "Delete branch", method: :delete, data: { confirm: "Deleting the '#{branch.name}' branch cannot be undone. Are you sure?", container: 'body' }, remote: true do
           = icon("trash-o")
 
     - if branch.name != @repository.root_ref