diff -r 2da5af3dadeb -r 6c6bb7a23bb5 hgext/evolve.py
--- a/hgext/evolve.py	Tue Jun 12 15:33:23 2012 +0200
+++ b/hgext/evolve.py	Wed Jun 13 18:28:10 2012 +0200
@@ -195,6 +195,24 @@
         raise
 
 
+def stabilizableunstable(repo, pctx):
+    """Return a changectx for an unstable changeset which can be
+    stabilized on top of pctx or one of its descendants. None if none
+    can be found.
+    """
+    def selfanddescendants(repo, pctx):
+        yield pctx
+        for ctx in pctx.descendants():
+            yield ctx
+
+    # Look for an unstable which can be stabilized as a child of
+    # node. The unstable must be a child of one of node predecessors.
+    for ctx in selfanddescendants(repo, pctx):
+        unstables = list(repo.set('unstable() and children(obsancestors(%d))',
+                                  ctx.rev()))
+        if unstables:
+            return unstables[0]
+    return None
 
 ### new command
 #############################
@@ -208,30 +226,34 @@
     ],
     '')
 def stabilize(ui, repo, **opts):
-    """move changeset out of the unstable state
+    """rebase an unstable changeset to make it stable again
 
-    By default only works on changeset that will be rebase on ancestors of the
-    current working directory parent (included)"""
+    By default, take the first unstable changeset which could be
+    rebased as child of the working directory parent revision or one
+    of its descendants and rebase it.
+
+    With --any, stabilize any unstable changeset.
+
+    The working directory is updated to the rebased revision.
+    """
 
     obsolete = extensions.find('obsolete')
 
-    if opts['any']:
-        rvstargets = 'unstable()'
-    else:
-        rvstargets = 'unstable() and ((suspended() and obsancestors(::.))::)'
-
-    unstable = list(repo.set(rvstargets))
-    if not unstable:
-        unstable = opts['any'] and () or list(repo.set('unstable()'))
-        if unstable:
+    node = None
+    if not opts['any']:
+        node = stabilizableunstable(repo, repo['.'])
+    if node is None:
+        unstables = list(repo.set('unstable()'))
+        if unstables and not opts['any']:
             ui.write_err(_('nothing to stabilize here\n'))
             ui.status(_('(%i unstable changesets, do you want --any ?)\n')
-                      % len(unstable))
+                      % len(unstables))
             return 2
-        else:
+        elif not unstables:
             ui.write_err(_('no unstable changeset\n'))
             return 1
-    node = unstable[0]
+        node = unstables[0]
+
     obs = node.parents()[0]
     if not obs.obsolete():
         obs = node.parents()[1]