A disease of peanut characterized by stunting of plants, veinal chlorosis, outward bending of leaflets, and proliferation of axillary buds has been observed in several parts of Peninsular India since 1977. The disease was restricted to peanut crops raised during the post‐rainy season. A rhabdovirus was associated with this disease. This appears to be the first record of natural occurrence of a rhabdovirus in peanut.