A VFET device with a dual top spacer to prevent source/drain-to-gate short, and techniques for formation thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a VFET device includes: etching vertical fin channels in a substrate; forming a bottom source and drain in the substrate beneath the vertical fin channels; forming a bottom spacer on the bottom source and drain; depositing a gate dielectric and gate conductor onto the vertical fin channels; recessing the gate dielectric and gate conductor to expose tops of the vertical fin channels; selectively forming dielectric spacers on end portions of the gate dielectric and gate conductor adjacent to the tops of the vertical fin channels; depositing an encapsulation layer onto the vertical fin channels; recessing the encapsulation layer with the dielectric spacers serving as an etch stop; and forming top source and drains. A VFET device formed using the present techniques is also provided.