diff --git a/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input.py b/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input.py
index 3e82684b3ef..cd5395ef895 100644
--- a/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input.py
+++ b/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input.py
@@ -534,6 +534,8 @@ def quil_expression_to_sympy(expression: ParameterDesignator):
     elif isinstance(expression, Parameter):  # pragma: no cover
         return sympy.Symbol(expression.name)
     elif isinstance(expression, MemoryReference):
+        if expression.declared_size == 1:
+            return sympy.Symbol(expression.name)
         return sympy.Symbol(expression.name + f"_{expression.offset}")
     elif isinstance(expression, Function):
         if expression.name == "SIN":  # pragma: no cover
diff --git a/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input_test.py b/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input_test.py
index d6b5b72b7f5..66f4b85452d 100644
--- a/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input_test.py
+++ b/cirq-rigetti/cirq_rigetti/quil_input_test.py
@@ -253,6 +253,19 @@ def test_parametric_quil():
     assert cirq_circuit == circuit
 
 
+QUIL_PROGRAM_WITH_SINGLE_PARAMETER = """
+DECLARE theta REAL[1]
+RZ(theta) 0
+"""
+
+
+def test_scalar_param_name_unchanged_by_conversion():
+    """Ensure the name of scalar parameter does not change during conversion."""
+    program = Program(QUIL_PROGRAM_WITH_SINGLE_PARAMETER)
+    circuit = circuit_from_quil(program)
+    assert cirq.parameter_names(circuit) == {"theta"}
+
+
 def test_measurement_without_classical_reg():
     """Measure operations must declare a classical register."""
     with pytest.raises(UnsupportedQuilInstruction):