diff --git a/testcases/t/17-workspace.t b/testcases/t/17-workspace.t
index 19e2df34..3c3b6cc6 100644
--- a/testcases/t/17-workspace.t
+++ b/testcases/t/17-workspace.t
@@ -98,4 +98,23 @@ cmd 'workspace "prev"';
 ok(workspace_exists('prev'), 'workspace "prev" exists');
 is(focused_ws(), 'prev', 'now on workspace prev');
 
+#####################################################################
+# check that the numbers are assigned/recognized correctly
+#####################################################################
+
+cmd "workspace 3: $tmp";
+my $ws = get_ws("3: $tmp");
+ok(defined($ws), "workspace 3: $tmp was created");
+is($ws->{num}, 3, 'workspace number is 3');
+
+cmd "workspace 0: $tmp";
+my $ws = get_ws("0: $tmp");
+ok(defined($ws), "workspace 0: $tmp was created");
+is($ws->{num}, 0, 'workspace number is 0');
+
+cmd "workspace aa: $tmp";
+my $ws = get_ws("aa: $tmp");
+ok(defined($ws), "workspace aa: $tmp was created");
+is($ws->{num}, -1, 'workspace number is -1');
+
 done_testing;