diff --git a/hgext/split.py b/hgext/split.py
--- a/hgext/split.py
+++ b/hgext/split.py
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@
         if ctx.phase() == phases.public:
             raise error.Abort(_('cannot split public changeset'),
                               hint=_("see 'hg help phases' for details"))
+        opts['secret'] = ctx.phase() == phases.secret
 
         descendants = list(repo.revs('(%d::) - (%d)', rev, rev))
         alloworphaned = obsolete.isenabled(repo, obsolete.allowunstableopt)
diff --git a/tests/test-split.t b/tests/test-split.t
--- a/tests/test-split.t
+++ b/tests/test-split.t
@@ -531,3 +531,36 @@
   o  0:426bada5c675 A
   
 #endif
+
+Preserve secret phase in split
+
+  $ cp -R $TESTTMP/clean $TESTTMP/phases1
+  $ cd $TESTTMP/phases1
+  $ hg phase --secret -fr tip
+  $ hg log -T '{short(node)} {phase}\n'
+  1df0d5c5a3ab secret
+  a61bcde8c529 draft
+  $ runsplit tip >/dev/null
+  $ hg log -T '{short(node)} {phase}\n'
+  00eebaf8d2e2 secret
+  a09ad58faae3 secret
+  e704349bd21b secret
+  a61bcde8c529 draft
+
+Do not move things to secret even if phases.new-commit=secret
+
+  $ cp -R $TESTTMP/clean $TESTTMP/phases2
+  $ cd $TESTTMP/phases2
+  $ cat >> .hg/hgrc <<EOF
+  > [phases]
+  > new-commit=secret
+  > EOF
+  $ hg log -T '{short(node)} {phase}\n'
+  1df0d5c5a3ab draft
+  a61bcde8c529 draft
+  $ runsplit tip >/dev/null
+  $ hg log -T '{short(node)} {phase}\n'
+  00eebaf8d2e2 draft
+  a09ad58faae3 draft
+  e704349bd21b draft
+  a61bcde8c529 draft