During summer 1997, a wilt disease of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was observed in the experimental field at NARC, Islamabad. The diseased plants exhibited symptoms of wilt with dull yellowing of leaves at flowering. Large areas on the leaves first turned dull light green, usually starting at the apex and leaf margins and extending inward, and then became necrotic. Severely infected plants were stunted, with small heads. The causal agent was isolated and, based on the characteristics morphological features, identified as Phialophora asteris f. sp. helianthi. This is the first report of the disease on sunflowers in Pakistan.