diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6ee317db..65debf08 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -50,4 +50,3 @@ LAST_VERSION
 # it is up to you to arrange for it to be ignored by git,
 # e.g. by listing your directory in .git/info/exclude.
 /build
-
diff --git a/include/output.h b/include/output.h
index a2ad97b0..4b4a501c 100644
--- a/include/output.h
+++ b/include/output.h
@@ -31,8 +31,10 @@ Output *get_output_from_string(Output *current_output, const char *output_str);
 char *output_primary_name(Output *output);
 
 /**
- * Returns the output for the given con.
- *
+ * Retrieves the output for a given container. Never returns NULL.
+ * There is an assertion that _will_ fail if the container is inside an
+ * internal workspace. Use con_is_internal() if needed before calling this
+ * function.
  */
 Output *get_output_for_con(Con *con);
 
diff --git a/release-notes/bugfixes/4-crash-focus-output b/release-notes/bugfixes/4-crash-focus-output
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fba6eb12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-notes/bugfixes/4-crash-focus-output
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+fix crash with focus output and command criteria matching scratchpad window
diff --git a/src/commands.c b/src/commands.c
index 7226463f..20739678 100644
--- a/src/commands.c
+++ b/src/commands.c
@@ -1802,7 +1802,20 @@ void cmd_focus_output(I3_CMD, const char *name) {
         return;
     }
 
-    Output *current_output = get_output_for_con(TAILQ_FIRST(&owindows)->con);
+    /* Command critiera need to work for focus output left|right|up|down.
+     * We need to avoid using internal workspaces with get_output_for_con, so
+     * we go through all matched windows until we find a non-internal one. If
+     * there is no match, fall back to the focused one. */
+    owindow *current;
+    Con *con = focused;
+    TAILQ_FOREACH (current, &owindows, owindows) {
+        if (!con_is_internal(con_get_workspace(current->con))) {
+            con = current->con;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    Output *current_output = get_output_for_con(con);
     Output *target_output = user_output_names_find_next(&names, current_output);
     user_output_names_free(&names);
     bool success = false;
diff --git a/src/output.c b/src/output.c
index 1c22e1cf..c0872a4a 100644
--- a/src/output.c
+++ b/src/output.c
@@ -54,6 +54,12 @@ char *output_primary_name(Output *output) {
     return SLIST_FIRST(&output->names_head)->name;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Retrieves the output for a given container. Never returns NULL.
+ * There is an assertion that _will_ fail if the container is inside an
+ * internal workspace. Use con_is_internal() if needed before calling this
+ * function.
+ */
 Output *get_output_for_con(Con *con) {
     Con *output_con = con_get_output(con);
     Output *output = get_output_by_name(output_con->name, true);
diff --git a/testcases/t/321-crash-criteria-scratchpad.t b/testcases/t/321-crash-criteria-scratchpad.t
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7a59206
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testcases/t/321-crash-criteria-scratchpad.t
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#!perl
+# vim:ts=4:sw=4:expandtab
+#
+# Please read the following documents before working on tests:
+# • https://build.i3wm.org/docs/testsuite.html
+#   (or docs/testsuite)
+#
+# • https://build.i3wm.org/docs/lib-i3test.html
+#   (alternatively: perldoc ./testcases/lib/i3test.pm)
+#
+# • https://build.i3wm.org/docs/ipc.html
+#   (or docs/ipc)
+#
+# • https://i3wm.org/downloads/modern_perl_a4.pdf
+#   (unless you are already familiar with Perl)
+#
+# Verify that i3 does not crash when command criteria that match a scratchpad
+# window are used with the focus output command or other commands
+# Ticket: #6076
+# Bug still in: 4.23-43-g822477cb
+use i3test;
+
+my $ws = fresh_workspace;
+my $win = open_window;
+cmd "move scratchpad";
+
+sub cmd_on_w {
+    local $Test::Builder::Level = $Test::Builder::Level + 1;
+    my $c = shift;
+    subtest "$c" => sub {
+        my $result = cmd '[id="' . $win->id . '"] ' . $c;
+        is($result->[0]->{success}, 1, "command succeeded");
+        is(@{get_ws($ws)->{floating_nodes}}, 0, 'no floating windows on workspace');
+        is(@{get_ws($ws)->{nodes}}, 0, 'no nodes on workspace');
+    }
+}
+
+cmd_on_w 'nop';
+cmd_on_w 'focus output left';
+cmd_on_w 'focus left';
+cmd_on_w 'floating disable';
+cmd_on_w 'floating enable';
+
+does_i3_live;
+
+done_testing;